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Spread the Light: An Ancient Talmudic Debate About the Jewish World Today

Spread the Light: An Ancient Talmudic Debate About the Jewish World Today

Jacobson, Rabbi YY
December 14, 2020

There is a debate in the Talmud: Am I allowed to use another Chanuka candle to ignite another flame?

 

“…Two of the greatest Talmudic sages… Rav and Shmuel debate the question. Rav says you are not allowed to, Shmuel says it’s permissible. …Jewish law follows the position of Shmuel…

 

I heard a marvelous insight from the late Rabbi Jonathan Sacks [Zt’L]… He said, if you want to understand the debate between Rav and Shmuel, look at the Jewish world today…

 

Shmuel says when I take my light to set another… soul on fire, I don’t have less light, I have more light! From one I create two, and from two we create four and eight until we flood the entire world with love and light and hope.

 

When we go out and we ignite sparks and we inspire hearts and we motivate souls. Our light is not diminished, we create so much more light in the world. When I lift up another soul, I too am uplifted in the process.”