Weekly Parasha: Bereshit
Shabat Shalom.
The Hidden Light of Creation
בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית בָּרָ֣א אֱלֹהִ֑ים אֵ֥ת הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֵ֥ת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
This week's parasha, Bereshit, opens the entire Torah with the account of the creation of the universe. After the initial state of "unformed and void" (Bereishit 1:2), G-d's first creative act is the introduction of light. The Torah declares: "And G-d said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light. G-d saw that the light was good, and G-d separated the light from the darkness" (Bereishit 1:3-4). An obvious question arises: this light cannot be that of the sun, moon, or stars, as these were only created on the fourth day (Bereishit 1:14-19). What was this light, so powerful and fundamental, and why was it necessary for G-d to "separate" it?
The Fate of the Primordial Light
The answer reveals one of the deepest secrets of creation. Rashi, citing an Aggadah, explains what happened to this light. He writes that G-d saw this light and "saw that it was not fitting for the wicked to use it, and He set it apart for the righteous in the future" (Rashi, Bereshit 1:4). In Massechet Chagigah 12a, this idea is expanded upon. It is taught that this light was of such an intense spiritual nature that with it, Adam HaRishon could see from one end of the world to the other. After the sin, so that it would not be misused, this light was hidden. However, it was not destroyed. It was "hidden away" within the Torah itself and the mitzvot, waiting to be rediscovered by those who dedicate themselves to them with sincerity and effort.
Revealing the Light in Our Daily Lives
The lesson of the Or HaGanuz, the Hidden Light, is one of the most inspiring for our daily lives. It teaches us that spirituality is not something abstract or distant, but rather a potent force infused into the fabric of our physical world. Our purpose is to act as spiritual "prospectors." Every time we study Torah, every time we perform a mitzvah—whether placing tzedakah in a box, lighting the Shabbat candles, or helping someone in need—we are not merely performing a physical act or a ritual. We are removing a layer of concealment and revealing a spark of that primordial and sacred light of creation. Our work is to transform the darkness and chaos of the world into a vessel for holiness, proving that we are worthy of using the light that G-d, in His wisdom, has reserved for the righteous. May we have the merit to find and reveal this light in our lives and in the world around us.
⚠️ This Dvar Torah is AI-generated for study purposes. It does not replace the guidance of a rav.