E Mussar - Sabedoria para o Crescimento Pessoal: SF - # The Light We Take: Unlocking the Secret of a Mitzvah

terça-feira, 24 de fevereiro de 2026

SF - # The Light We Take: Unlocking the Secret of a Mitzvah

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The Secret of "Taking" Light

"And you shall command the Children of Israel, and they shall take to you pure olive oil... to kindle the lamps continually" (Shemot 27:20).

The Torah’s phrasing is curious. Grammatically, it should have said, "They shall bring to you olive oil." By using the word "take" (Veyikchu), the Torah reveals a transformative secret: When we perform a Mitzvah with the proper intention, we are not "giving" anything to Hashem. Rather, we are taking a gift—a supply of Divine light and holiness.

As the Midrash (Mishlei 6:23) teaches: "The Mitzvah is a lamp." When a person fulfills a Mitzvah, it is as if they have kindled a flame before Hashem and infused their own soul with vitality. For the soul of man is the "Lamp of Hashem."

Moral: Every Mitzvah is a spiritual wellspring. The more we recognize Hashem’s Presence within the act, the more we nourish our souls with fresh supplies of light and life.

3 Application Exercises

1. The "Refilling the Vessel" Visualization

Context: Use this before performing a physical Mitzvah (like giving Tzedakah or putting on Tefillin).

The Exercise: Instead of viewing the Mitzvah as a "task" you are completing, pause for ten seconds. Visualize your soul as a vessel that receives Divine Light.
The Thought: Tell yourself: "I am not 'giving' my time or money away; I am reaching into a wellspring to 'take' the oil I need to make my soul shine again." Perform the act with the feeling that you are being replenished, not drained.

2. The "Aharon HaKohen" Mirror

Context: When feeling uninspired or "heavy" regarding your spiritual routine.

The Exercise: Recall the image of Aharon HaKohen in the Mishkan. His greatness was that he kindled the lights with the exact same excitement every single day ("Shelo Shina"—he did not change).
The Thought: Envision a beam of light extending from the Mitzvah directly to your heart, just as it did for Aharon. Ask yourself: "If I could see the light I am 'taking' right now, how would my posture and my smile change?" Try to physically adjust your stance to reflect that newfound closeness.

3. The "Light Log" (End of Day)

Context: A brief evening reflection (Cheshbon HaNefesh).

The Exercise: Identify one Mitzvah you did today. It could be a kind word to a neighbor or a moment of prayer.
The Thought: Reflect on the "afterglow." Did you feel a moment of peace, a sense of purpose, or a spark of connection? Recognize that this feeling wasn't just a psychological byproduct—it was the actual "taking" of the light mentioned in the verse. Write down one sentence: "Today, through the Mitzvah of [X], I took a supply of light for my soul."