Torah Dharma

The 3rd meal of Shabbat
Havdallah and our own inner truth

        When one enters a space of deep reflection, a voice can be heard that arises from beyond time and space. It is a voice that resonates of deep truths and holds us in a brighter light than any we could find on our own. The Kabbalists call this light, Or Ein Sof  or light of infinity. The Sufis call it Nur  and consider it the foundation of all life. Some Christians call it Tabor Light while others call it Divine Light. The Light of God seems to reside within many traditions. And this Light is made manifest within each one of us as the Divine Spark. 

    Twilight is a time where the physical eye has trouble seeing, light is masked and yet darkness has not descended. For the Jewish tradition this time of day coupled with the Sabbath is a moment of sweet sadness, the moment where the Sabbath queen must return from the supernal palace. This separation, although painful, is required; the Sabbath Queen becomes the vessel for the Supernal Light to be brought into the world and into our hearts, allowing us to access our divine selves.

    In the Jewish tradition we sweeten her return with singing, stories of truth, the sweet smells and tastes of this world, and the light of fire that mimics the supernal flame. Once the darkness descends, we will have an opportunity to rest in the light that has been brought down through meditation and contemplation to uncover our own divine spark for the coming week.