בס”ד
By Rabbi Moshe Goodman, Kollel Ohr Shlomo, Hebron
This painting depicts a candle as if growing/rooted like the tree adjacent to it. A candle also represents the soul of man as it says, “the candle of Hashem is the soul of man.” On a group level, this candle may hint to many souls, i.e the People of Israel. Indeed, we find that there are verses that describe Israel’s settlement in the Holy Land as being “rooted” in this Land. This matter also suggests the idea that, just as the roots of a tree bring the tree sustenance from the earth, so too Israel receives its spiritual sustenance from the Holy Land and the Holy Presence therein. This idea is strengthened when we identify the light coming from the candle as spiritual energy, a matter found in much of Torah thought which describes spiritual energy as “light.”
This parsha discusses many ideas that pertain to the spiritual power of the Holy Land especially found in the mitzvoth of Shemitah and Yovel, unique to this Holy Land.
Hebron, which means unity/connection, especially illuminates, upon the entire world, the spiritual power of the Holy Land and the high value of Israel’s settlement therein, i.e “rooting” and connection to the Holy Land. Ultimately, it is through Israel’s deep connection to the Holy Land and the Holy Presence therein that Israel become a “light upon the nations.”