The Hidden Light of Creation and the Solar Eclipse After Simchat Torah

There is a poignant Midrashic teaching regarding the whereabouts of the infinite light that was created on the first day of creation. “It was hidden away in the world to come, as a reward for the righteous.”

Just under one week ago, as we were reading the sacred words of Genesis, as we do each year on Simchat Torah, recounting the creation story that never gets tired — “Vayomer Elo-him Yehi Or; and G-d said Let there be light, and there was light” … and before that sweet light could even shine, it was stolen and eclipsed. In its stead, a day of unimaginable darkness slowly unfolded as the news began to filter in.

Though the moon is scheduled to slip in front of the sun THIS Saturday, leaving a fiery orange rim in the sky, it previewed unexpectedly last Saturday, as a ring of pure evil blackened the world, as it beheld in horror, a spasm of inhumane Savagery, unprecedented in our times. A demonic force, that eclipsed, darkened, and concealed the light of mankind. A new Tisha Bav was born on one of the happiest days of the year.

But like Tisha Bav, where the seeds of redemption were planted right into the midst of that darkness, and we are told that no less than the Messiah himself was born on that day among the smoldering embers —our people have risen up, the lion has awakened and its roar will not be silenced this time. The momentary eclipse has passed and in its stead burns a light of unity and brotherhood within the Jewish community that no one could have ever imagined. Who could have predicted that the savagery of Hamas, would result in the emergence of a divine light of human brotherhood and solidarity so radiant, that it could only be THAT light, that could hide no longer.

Much Love,

Rabbi Yossi