Light of Lights

Etching by Gustave Dore

Otzar HaYirah: Emes VaTzeddek
Chapter: Hasagas V’His'notzitzus Elokus (“Divine Illuminations and Perceptions”)
Selections from Reb Noson’s Likutey Halachos

Translated by Dovid Sears

All lights are derived from the Divine light; as King David declares, "God is my light…" (Psalms 27:1). Just as the light of the sun breaks forth from the east and illuminates the face of the earth, the Divine light suddenly may break forth within the soul, bringing about an illumination that is indescribable, beyond all words. However, this revelation cannot remain constant, or the person would cease to exist. Moreover, constant delight would not be recognizable as delight. Therefore, God constricts and conceals His illumination, as the verse states, "Behold, you are a God Who conceals Himself…"(Isaiah 45:15). This creates a spiritual vessel that can hold the light in a measured way, according to the capacity of each person. Through this constriction and concealment, one subsequently may receive the Divine light in its pristine brilliance, perceiving that each moment is entirely new. Indeed, this is the ultimate truth. This, too, is why in the physical world, each day combines both aspects of darkness and light.