B’halotkha
Why is fire so meaningful when speaking about spiritual practice?
Reflection by Or HaLev’s teacher Rabbah Dr. Mira Neshama Weil
"Parashat B’halotkha opens on the instruction for Aharon to kindle the lamp in the mishkan. However, the text doesn't say `kindle`. It talks about `causing the light to ascend.`
It is not the first time that this specific verb, ‘la’alot’ is used when mentioning sacred fires: In the book of Shemot, the same language can be seen about the neir tamid, the `eternal flame.`
Kindling, according to Rashi, is `ascending.`
The symbol is eloquent:
The flame, as it reaches towards the sky, symbolizes our desire to `rise up` from our places of lowliness and separation, towards the Oneness that encompasses all.
But Rashi goes further and reminds us that the Talmud hints to a deeper meaning:
`One is required to kindle the lamp until the flame rises by itself` (Shab. 21a).
The point of kindling is to start a movement that then will have its own life.
So it goes in mindfulness practice.
It takes energy to be mindful.
It takes energy to remember and come back to presence, to show up, to stay still when meditating, and to stay awake. Energy to keep doing it, day in and day out.
This is kindling the flame.
Before the practice gets easier - sometimes seemingly carrying us on its own wings - we need to make it happen, again and again.
We need to kindle first.
Then it will rise by itself.
As we journey back from the Mountain of revelation of Shavuot, may we remember to cause our flame to rise, again and again. Let us recommit, day in and day out, to our mindfulness practice, until the energy of presence shines by itself.
Let’s enjoy seeing what happens."