This may be redundant, but each morning when I think about the state of affairs, I'm reminded that I have strong feelings and that I'm a pretty emotional guy.

The reason that I am reminded of this, is that it is hard to handle the conflicting feelings that have to live inside of us today. I say that they "have" to live inside of us, because it is impossible to be indifferent when our brothers and sisters lives are on the line, and when the hatred is palpable on our very doorsteps. Conversely, to be completely emotionally involved will paralyze us from being productive and we'll fall prey to victimhood.

For the record; I'm positive. I'm hopeful. G-d runs the world and there is a Masterplan to all that is going on. However, we have to deal with human emotions (the animal soul) and that is the focus of my comments.

This week's Torah portion opens with the instruction about the oil for the Menorah; "pure olive oil, beaten for the luminary". Why does the Torah say for the luminary and not for light?

We are taught in Kaballah that the luminary is a reference to the luminary within us. The source of light; the soul.

How do we release the light of the soul? The only way to truly get to the source is through the squeezing. Other layers of who we are can come about through positive, forward movements. But to get to the true essence of who we are is only achievable through squeezing.

When we are squeezed we have to live with the conflict. We have to live in the discomfort of two realities, two truths and to be at peace with it. The only way is through surrender. To truly be in discomfort requires a surrender to something bigger than ourselves. To truly be in the discomfort without running away from it, engaging in behaviors that drown the feelings, requires that we recognize the G-dliness at the core of the pain.

When we do that, when we allow the squeezing to happen without fighting it, we connect with the luminary within ourselves.

We all pray for better times, peace in Israel, safety for our brothers and sisters and a world of goodness. Until then, let's navigate our uncomfortable feelings by recognizing that the light is buried deep inside.

Have a peaceful and restful Shabbos.

With all my love,
Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman