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And God said, 'Let there be light...'

By Bill Beyer | Comments (0) | Posted on October 27, 2008

Last week in my inbox I received this story. (I have condensed part of it for space.)

In 1907, when Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch was staying at a health spa in Wirtzberg, Germany, a group of Chassidim came to spend a Shabbos with the Rebbe. Reb Yosef Yuzik (one of the guests) asked, "Rebbe, What is a chassid?" Replied the Rebbe: "A chassid is a lamplighter. The lamplighter walks streets carrying a flame at the end of a stick. He knows that the flame is not his. And he goes from lamp to lamp to set them alight."

Asked Reb Yosef Yuzik, "What if the lamp is in the desert?" "Then one must go and light it," said the Rebbe. "And when one lights a lamp in a desert, the desolation of the desert becomes visible. The barren wilderness will then be ashamed before the burning lamp."

Continued the chassid, "What if the lamp is at sea?" "Then one must undress, dive into the sea, and go light the lamp." Replied the Rebbe. "And this is a chassid?" asked Reb Yosef Yuzik.

For a long while the Rebbe thought. Then he said, "Yes, this is a chassid." "But, Rebbe, I do not see the lamps!" said Reb Yuzik. The Rebbe answered, "Because you are not a lamplighter." Reb Yuzik asked, "How does one become a lamplighter?"

"First you must reject the evil within yourself. Start with yourself, cleanse yourself, refine yourself, and you will see the lamp within your fellow. When a person is himself coarse, God forbid, he sees coarseness, when a person is himself refined, he sees the refinement in others."

Reb. Yosef Yuzik then asked, "Is one to grab another by the throat?" The Rebbe replied, "By the throat, no; by the lapels, yes."

I really enjoyed this story and it made me think right away about our Master's teaching to let our lights shine. Our light is a gift from the Father to share with those around us. We are to be lamplighters using our light to emblaze the lights of others so that together we can dispel the darkness. (Matthew 5:16)

But, sometimes we might find it very hard not to grab people around the throats!! We say things like: "How come my family does not get this whole Torah thing?" "It is so easy!" "How come my friends think I just joined a cult?" And it does not take long before we get discouraged.

First Fruits of Zion has just launched a web site that may be able to help. The TorahPORTIONS web site is designed to help you bring the message of Torah to your family and friends who do not really know much of Torah at all. With Torah commentary from Torah Club One this basic information will help you light the lamp of those in your life.

However, it is not limited to Torah beginners. It can also be used by the more learned student. It is a great place to be reminded to read the weekly Torah portion or when you are too busy you can listen to it while you do other things. Either way it helps to fan the flame so when the time comes you can light the lamp of others.

TorahPORTIONS is a great way to let the Ruach do the work of bringing the Torah to the heart of those who have yet to hear. And remember, keep your light strong! You never know when you might be called into the desert, or into the sea to light someone's lamp.

To see the TorahPORTIONS web site click here.

About the Author: Bill Beyer is a friend of FFOZ and a volunteer moderator for the Online Torah Club Forums. He is also the pastor of a Lutheran church.

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And God said, 'Let there be light...'

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