At the dawn of existence, the Torah presents us with a profound paradox. Before Gd utters the first creative decree, we find darkness: "The earth was unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep" (Genesis 1:2). Only then does Gd declare, "Let there be light" (Genesis 1:3).
This sequence is deliberate and instructive. Darkness was not created; it simply was. Darkness is merely the absence of light, a void waiting to be filled. We cannot create darkness; we can only remove light. Yet remarkably, each of us possesses the divine capacity to create light, to illuminate the shadows, to bring warmth where coldness reigns.
Notice too the awkward ordering of each day of creation: "there was evening, there was morning." The day begins with darkness and moves toward light. This teaches us that our natural state may be one of confusion or obscurity, but our purpose is to constantly move toward illumination and clarity.
Consider the parable of the wise king who challenged his three sons to fill an empty room with limited resources. The first bought stones, substantial but insufficient. The second purchased straw, more voluminous but still inadequate. The third, however, spent his coins on a single candle. When he lit it, the flame's radiance filled every corner of the chamber completely. The lesson is clear: light, unlike physical matter, expands infinitely. One small flame can banish an ocean of darkness.
This is our calling as a community. Each act of kindness, every genuine connection we forge, every moment we invest in knowing one another, these are candles we light in our world. When we reach out across differences, when we build bridges instead of walls, when we truly see and recognize our neighbors, we become partners in the ongoing work of creation itself.
The Jewish Federation embodies this principle. Through its work and through each of us, it brings light to our community. Every program, every initiative, every relationship strengthened is another candle kindled. And here lies the miracle: unlike material possessions that diminish when divided, light only multiplies when shared. One flame can ignite countless others without diminishing itself.
As we begin this new cycle of Torah reading, let us embrace our role as bearers of light. May we illuminate our community through authentic relationships, meaningful interactions, and genuine connection. Together, may we dispel darkness and let our collective light shine bright. Because we are Stronger [and Brighter] Together!
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