This week’s Taste of Torah examines Exodus 10:23, which contains one of the most striking contrasts in the Torah: “No one could see anyone else or move about for three days. Yet all the Israelites had light in the places where they lived.” This passage, which describes the ninth plague in Egypt, provides profound insight into the human condition and our spiritual journey.

The darkness that enveloped Egypt was not merely a physical absence of light. According to Chassidic teaching, an extraordinarily dense and intense darkness immobilized the Egyptians, while the ancient Israelites experienced a remarkably bright environment. This contrast serves as a powerful metaphor for our own lives.

In our modern world, we often find ourselves surrounded by light – the glow of our devices, the brilliance of our achievements, the illumination of our knowledge. Yet paradoxically, many of us live in a different kind of darkness: the inability to truly see those around us. Like the Egyptians who “could not see anyone else,” we too can become blind to the needs and struggles of our fellow human beings.

This spiritual darkness can afflict anyone. We might not notice when a friend needs comfort, a family member requires attention, or a colleague seeks understanding. We might become so focused on our personal “light” that we fail to share it with others.

The Torah teaches us that true illumination comes not only from having light but also from seeing and responding to others. The Children of Israel didn’t merely have light in their homes; they could see and connect with one another. This serves as a powerful reminder that our most significant achievements mean little if we remain insensitive to those around us.

As we navigate our daily lives, let us remember that the antidote to darkness is not just the presence of light but the willingness to share it. When we extend ourselves beyond our personal concerns to illuminate the lives of others, we fulfill the deeper meaning of this biblical passage – transforming darkness into light through human connection and compassion.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger y@TasteofTorah.org

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