This is how we can feel too. There is so much to be afraid of, so much unknown that cannot be seen. Layer upon layer of dangers and darkness.
The Talmud tells us that a torch could help with the first problem: a candle or flashlight can keep you from falling into a ditch. A small amount of light can allow you to take each next single step forward. The sun coming up at dawn can protect from animals or bandits. Sunlight is a game changer! Once daylight comes, you can see not only the pit directly in front of you, but also the dangers lurking farther afield that might have caught you by surprise in the night. But if you are lost, even sunlight won’ t orient you. Ultimately, only reaching a crossroads, only finding a landmark or street sign will help you find your way home.
The Talmud brings this story to explain a verse from Proverbs: ר נ י כ ה ו צ
מ ר ו א ה ר ו ת
ו“ For mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light”( Prov. 6:23).
The parable of the person walking at night is meant to help us understand the relationship between commandments( mitzvot) and the wisdom uncovered through deep learning and reflection( Torah):
But isn’ t it taught: Rabbi Menahem bar Yosei explained:“ For the mitzvah is a lamp and the Torah is light”( Prov. 6:23). Scripture understands mitzvah as a lamp and Torah as sunlight. mitzvah as a lamp— to say to you: Just as the lamp only protects for a moment, so too the mitzvah only protects for a moment. Torah as light— to say to you: Just as sunlight protects forever, so too Torah protects forever.
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