Let there be light
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I will use any of
the following three versions of tour beloved Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917),
2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).
Colour coded details of the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History & Law, 2. Nevi’im = The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Eloleichem) which I
command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
This study will be based on a very special word named “light”, what should be realized, that there is so much in that rather simple word, thus we will commence on a journey and discover some amazing facts!
Within the very first words of creation, ‘light’ - אור is presented in the Torah as the foundation of life and order.
In Bereshit - Genesis 1:3, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), blessed be He, declares “Let there be light”, and light becomes the first act of creation, separating chaos from clarity. This sets the tone for the entire Tanakh. ‘Light’ is not only a physical phenomenon but a symbol of ‘truth’, ‘guidance’, and ‘Divine presence’!
Throughout the Torah and the Prophets, ‘light’ is consistently associated with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s protection, His covenant, and His Word. It is the opposite of ‘darkness’, which represents ‘confusion’, ‘danger’, or ‘estrangement from אֱלֹהִים’. To walk “לאור” - la’or, “by the light” or “toward the light”) is to live in alignment with Divine truth!
Let us read the relevant verses related directly to ‘light’.
Please Note: That all verses in this study hail from the “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917 version).
Light
in the Torah:
Bereshit - Genesis 1:3-4. (JPS-1917).
“And אֱלֹהִים said: ‘Let there be light.’ And there was light. And אֱלֹהִים saw the light, that it was good”.
Light is the very first creation on the earth, symbolizing Divine order and goodness.
Shemot - Exodus 10:23.
“…but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.”
Light distinguishes Israel even whilst in Egypt was in darkness.
Shemot - Exodus 13:21.
“And יְהוָה - the LORD went before them… by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light.”
Light is guidance, showing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence on the journey.
Light in the Prophets:
Yeshayahu - Isaiah 2:5.
“O house of Ya’aqov - Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of יְהוָה - the LORD.”
Light is covenantal faithfulness, a path to walk.
Yeshayahu - Isaiah 9:1.
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light…”
Light is salvation and hope.
Yeshayahu - Isaiah 60:1.
“Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of יְהוָה - the LORD is risen upon thee.”
Light is Divine glory, lifting Israel to its destiny.
Light in the Writings.
Tehillim - Psalm 27:1.
“יְהוָה - the LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Light is protection and courage.
Tehillim - Psalm 119:105.
“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Torah itself is light, guiding daily life.
Mishle Shlomo - Proverbs 6:23.
“For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light…”:
Instruction (Torah) is explicitly equated with light.
Iyov - Job 29:3.
“…by His light I walked through darkness.”
Light is divine companionship even in hardship.
And
now a Summary:
לאור means “to the light” or “by the light.”
In the Torah, light is ‘creation’, ‘guidance’, and ‘distinction’.
In the Prophets, light is ‘salvation’, ‘covenant’, and ‘Divine glory’.
In the Writings, light is ‘protection’, ‘wisdom’, and Torah itself’.
Thus, the Tanakh itself presents אֱלֹהִים, His Word, and His guidance as the Teacher of Light, without later mystical or rabbinic elaboration.
Now that we’ve introduced the theme of light - אור and traced it through the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, we have a structured framework that shows how the Tanakh itself develops this imagery from ‘creation’, to ‘guidance’, to ‘salvation’, to the Torah as being the ultimate light!
Light
in the Tanakh in a ordered form:
The Torah:
Genesis 1:3-4 ... Light as the first creation, “אֱלֹהִים saw the light, that it was good.”
Exodus 10:23 ... Israel’s dwellings filled with light in Egypt’s darkness.
Exodus 13:21 ... Pillar of fire giving light, guiding Israel in the wilderness.
The Prophets:
Isaiah 2:5 ... “Let us walk in the light of יְהוָה - the LORD.”
Isaiah 9:1 ... “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Isaiah 60:1 ... “Arise, shine, for thy light is come…”
Writings:
Psalm 27:1 ... “יְהוָה - the LORD is my light and my salvation.”
Psalm 119:105 ... “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
Proverbs 6:23 ... “For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light.”
Job 29:3 ... “By His light I walked through darkness.”
This
ordered progression shows:
Creation - Light as the foundation of the world.
Guidance - Light as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s presence leading Israel.
Salvation - Light as hope and glory in the Prophets.
Torah - Light as wisdom and daily direction in the Writings.
Together, these wonderful passages reveal that אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה – the LORD Elohim, Himself is ‘the Teacher of Light’, and His Torah is the lamp that illuminates our path, blessed be his Sanctified Name!
In conclusion: Thus, the Tanakh presents ‘light’ as both ‘cosmic’ and ‘intimate’, it is the radiance of ‘creation’, the beacon of ‘covenant, and the lamp of ‘daily guidance’. To study light in Scripture is to explore how אֱלֹהִים reveals Himself, how His word illuminates human life, and how Israel is called to reflect that light to the world.
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In Conclusion, a
Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? And how do you feel
about spending more time studying our beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing
well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing you are upholding as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and solitude
in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn to improve
your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in some way, just ask, I can email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! The email is just down this page.
This site was originally for those who needed
to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on your
faith and pray at least two or of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
But as you may have discovered it has become very much a teaching site!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via a
number of our prophets...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. MEC).
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat
Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה (the LORD your
Eloheichem); walk in My statutes,
and keep Mine ordinances, and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall
be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Eloheichem”.
Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“The More Torah, the More Life”.
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim -
Feasts, and continue saying your daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers)
and regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and
drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom
Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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