Israeli diplomat Yehuda Avner once visited with the Lubavitcher Rebbe. The conversation turned to the role of the Rebbe.
The Rebbe explained that each person is a candle, and, “I help them light the candle, to help every man and woman fulfill the purpose for which they were created.”
Toward the end of the meeting, Mr. Avner asked the Rebbe, “Has the Rebbe lit my candle?”
“No,” the Rebbe responded. “I have given you the match. Only you can light your own candle.”
What did the Rebbe mean that, “only you can light your own candle?” Why can’t the Rebbe ignite my candle? Certainly, the Rebbe has inspired thousands of people. Isn’t that considered “lighting my candle?”
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This Sunday marks Yud Aleph Nissan, the 124th birthday of the Rebbe. It is a special day that calls for increased prayer, learning, and acts of loving kindness to others. It has been marked as Education and Sharing Day in the USA for decades. This year, it has once again been designated by the State of Idaho, the City of Boise, and other cities throughout our great state.
The Rebbe’s impact is beyond doubt. It continues decades after his passing. And, on his birthday, it’s appropriate to recommit ourselves to the teachings and ideals that he held so dear.
Here’s a teaching from this week’s parsha Tzav that also sheds light on the upcoming festival of Pesach.
The Torah instructs that, “A constant fire shall burn upon the alter; it shall not be extinguished.”
What is the meaning of this emphasis? If it shall not be extinguished, then it’s obviously constant. Why the repetition? The Talmud explains that the Torah is teaching us that we must offer a fire no matter the status of the person responsible for the fire. Even if the kohen was in a state of ritual impurity (which usually precludes Temple duties), it must still be offered.
The Rebbe observes a life lesson from this instruction. Lighting the fire on the altar is something we must continue to do today, even without the Holy Temple. Our hearts and souls are the altar of G-d.
Sometimes, we might feel disillusioned. We might imagine that we have no fuel in the tank, that our baggage is too heavy to carry. Our flaws weigh us down. We are impure.
And, we are uninspired. We don’t have the energy and drive to light our own fire.
This, according to Chassidic teachings, is what it means to be stuck in Egypt. Egypt isn’t only a place of slavery that existed 3338 years ago. It’s not only a place on the map. Egypt is a place of slavery that exists in our hearts and minds, today. It’s a state of being.
When we imagine that we cannot grow, that our misfortunes and imperfections keep success at bay. Or when we are complacent with our current station in life.
Then, we are in Egypt. We are stuck in the clutches of Pharaoh. Denied the path to our own destiny and purpose.
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So, how do we free ourselves from our internal Egypt?
Chassidim were wont to say, "Morgen vet zein gar andersh," Yiddish for, "tomorrow will be very different." It was a nightly ritual, designed to inspire one to awaken tomorrow with renewed energy.
But, why do they only talk about tomorrow? What about the next day? What about the whole week ahead? The month? The year? My entire life? Don’t I want to commit to a better life for as long as I live?
I think Chassidim were on to something. They recognized that we humans are fallible beings. They were honest with themselves. Fixing my whole life?! That’s a daunting task. I’m flawed and riddled with complexities. There are too many imperfections to fix all of them. Life ahead is very long, arduous, and demanding. Who knows what will be in twenty years?!
But, I can control tomorrow. That I can fix.
And, that is the secret to leaving Egypt.
Stop trying to fix the whole world. Stop trying to fix your entire life.
Just fix tomorrow.
And, you will be free from Egypt.
The Exodus from Egypt did not bring the Jews – in one journey – to the Promised Land. They still had many journeys and battles – spiritual and physical – before they arrived in the Holy Land. They remained flawed. But, they were free. Because they took one step forward. They were perfectly imperfect.
To be free means to acknowledge my imperfection and impurity – and to still plow ahead with determination and vigor.
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We must light our own fire. But, the Rebbe’s unapologetic and contagiously positive faith in every human being, can help us ignite our souls.
Ah, the taste of freedom.