The Spiritual Perspective 15

     “The light (ner) of Hashem is the soul of man.”[i] The word ner is commonly translated as “candle” or “lamp.” Accordingly, many people think that this proverb teaches us that “The candle of Hashem is the soul of man.” But this does not fit the proverb’s meaning. The proper definition of ner, as it is used here, is really “light.” It is the light of Hashem that is the soul of man, not the candle of Hashem. The candle of Hashem is man’s body, not his soul.

     King Solomon wrote these words to give us an excellent description of the human condition.

     Each of us is likened to a candle that has somehow been placed here in this world. The candle represents our physicality, our individual bodies. Each candle is single and unique. But the candle is just wax and wick, nothing more. It cannot light its own light because it does not have any fire to light it with. The light has to be brought to it from somewhere else.

      Once the candle is lit, we say that the candle is giving us light, but this is not true. The candle is not giving us the light, the candle is merely housing the light. Once the candle is lit, wherever it goes, the light will go with it. This is true until the fire consumes the candle. When the candle’s wax and wick are burned up, the light also goes. After the candle is gone there is not even the faintest trace of it ever having been here. That is, unless it used its flame to light another candle. If it did, and if that other candle went on to share its flame with other candles, then the first candle is remembered even long after it is gone.