As you descend into the Children’s Memorial the darkest place at Yad v’Shem, Israel’s Shoah museum and memorial in Jerusalem, there is a quote carved in stone that you walk beneath. Next time you’re there with me, I’ll be sure to point it out. The quote comes from the Book of Proverbs, “The soul of a human is the light of Adonai.” I’m not one of those rabbis who has memorized dozens of passages from the Tanach, my mind doesn’t work that way, but this quote has stayed with me since that day in Jerusalem.
When you enter the Children’s memorial, you understand why the quote is there. Inside the exhibit, there are infinite refractions of candles accomplished through mirrors on the wall and in the center of the room. You could come up with dozens of different interpretations for this room, but I choose to see the quote and the candles as a recognition that countless lights were extinguished in that dark time, AND that the souls of our loved ones are never truly gone—they persist like an eternal flame refracting infinitely around us, and someday new lights will be lit.
The memory of this experience resurfaced when I officiated at the brit milah for dear family. We forgot to light ceremonial candles at the beginning of the ritual. There’s no halakhic requirement to light candles at a baby naming or brit milah, but as with any heightened spiritual moment, candles set the tone. As we spoke about the “oops” moment, the words of Proverbs appeared in my head, “The soul of a human is the light of Adonai.” As we affirmed the Jewish neshama, soul, of this new beautiful baby boy, we also witnessed the light of God turn on in a new life. The light was all around us and within us.
The connection from Shoah to Brit Milah was jarring, but deeply appropriate. Following destruction and desecration is the holiness of birth and new life. The same words we use in mourning and remembrance can be transformed into words of celebration and simcha.
As you light Shabbat candles this Friday night, look up from the holy flames and see the neshama, the Jewish soul in each of your loved ones.
Shabbat shalom!
Rabbi Max
