The Divine Light manifests in our lives through our spiritual actions and intentions. In our material world, we are constantly seeking ways to connect with higher realms. Many spiritual traditions explain this connection differently, but Hasidic teaching offers a unique perspective on how our actions can literally draw divine presence into our lives. Let’s explore how this works, and why our actions are more important than thoughts and feelings.
The Candle and Wick: Metaphor for Spiritual Connection
Imagine a candle. The wick alone without oil burns quickly and doesn’t give bright light. Similarly, our body is a wick, and our good deeds are the oil needed to maintain the flame.
A sage from the Zohar explains this through a quote from Ecclesiastes: “The eyes of the wise are in his head.” What does this mean? A wise person realizes that divine presence (Shechinah) dwells above his head, and this presence, like the light of a lamp, needs “oil” – our good deeds.
As King Solomon explains: “Let oil not be lacking on your head.” The wise person understands that his body is a wick, and his good deeds are the oil that feeds the spiritual flame.
Why the Soul Cannot Channel Spiritual Energy as “Oil”
An interesting point: why can’t our own soul, which is also divine, serve as “oil” for this spiritual illumination?
The reason is that even the soul of a perfect righteous person who serves the Almighty with great love still feels separate from God. This separateness – “I am the one who loves God” – already creates a division, preventing complete fusion with the Divine Light.
Only commandments and good deeds, which are direct expressions of divine will, can completely merge with this spiritual radiance, just as oil merges with flame.
Three Levels of Connecting with Higher Realms
When we study spiritual texts or pray, the following happens:
- Level of thought and speech: Our divine soul and its “garments” (abilities to think and speak) unite with the heavenly radiance. As the sages say: “Even when one person sits and studies Torah, the Shechinah is with him.”
- Level of action: When we perform physical commandments (putting on tefillin, giving tzedakah/charity), our body becomes a conduit for divine will. The physical strength used to perform the commandment connects with the spiritual realm.
- Transformation of the animal soul: Most amazingly, when performing commandments, even our “animal soul” (the part responsible for physical desires) is partially transformed and included in the realm of holiness, since it is this soul that activates the body to perform the commandment.
The Average and the Righteous: Different Paths of Service
Most of us belong to the category of “average” people (beinonim) – people who constantly struggle with their negative inclinations. Unlike perfect righteous individuals, we cannot completely transform our animal soul.
However, the meaning of our existence is not in victory over the animal soul, but in:
- Not allowing it to express itself in our thoughts, speech, and actions
- Using its powers to fulfill commandments
- Attracting spiritual illumination into the material world through practical actions
Even if the evil qualities of the animal soul remain untransformed, they “sleep” or are in “exile” when the mind controls the heart during the fulfillment of commandments.
Why Actions Matter More Than Emotions
The modern world often values emotions and intentions above actions: “What matters is what’s in your heart.” However, Hasidic teaching explains that it is actions that have the unique ability to attract the Divine Light.
When we fulfill a commandment:
- The part of our animal soul involved in the action completely unites with the spiritual realm
- This illumination spreads to the entire body, surrounding us from head to toe
- A real transformation of the material world occurs
No matter how much we meditate on unity with God, it is only through practical commandments that we truly connect with Him.
Practical Application of Spiritual Wisdom
These profound ideas have practical applications:
- Value of small actions: Even a small good deed attracts spiritual illumination
- Overcoming “spiritual laziness”: Sometimes we don’t want to fulfill commandments, but overcoming this resistance is especially valuable
- Balance of thought and action: Study and meditation are important but should lead to concrete actions
- Sanctification of everyday life: Every action can become a way of connecting with the divine
Unity in Diversity
Interestingly, the diversity of spiritual manifestations does not imply multiplicity in God Himself. As Rabbi Gamliel explained, it is like sunlight passing through different windows – the light is one, although it manifests differently in different places.
So it is with us: performing different commandments in different circumstances, we work with the same unified Divine Light, which adapts to our unique situation and personality.
This article is based on Chapter 35 of the book “Likutei Amarim – Tanya” by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of the Chabad movement and one of the greatest Hasidic thinkers.
Afterword: This text has not been approved by any sage, Torah scholar, or rabbi and is merely a simplified adaptation of the sacred text for general understanding. For comprehension of true wisdom and a deeper understanding of the original text, you should refer to the sources.
