Igrot Kodesh · Letter 559 — Hilulah Teaching — Lights to Illuminate

By the grace of Hashem,

28 Adar Sheni 5711,

Brooklyn, New York,

He whose Hilulah*[2] we celebrate declared that his disciples must be 'lights to illuminate.'

The words of the righteous, in general, and above all those of the leaders of Israel regarding their disciples and those connected to them, are particularly precise. This applies equally to the description of 'lights to illuminate,' which must guide his disciples in many important domains.

Here are some of them:

A lamp that illuminates has different characteristics. It is the source of light, the luminary, even if it has limited dimensions.

It contains oil and a wick. The oil corresponds to the Torah* and the Mitzvot*[2], the wick to man — that is to say, to his body — or more precisely to the part of the soul associated with it or, more profoundly still, to the divine soul that enters into the animal soul.

When the wick is lit, it unites with the oil and the lamp burns with several flames. In essence there are two: the black light and the white light, elevation and revelation.

A lamp possesses another quality. It allows one to carry out a search to great advantage — to search in hiding places, orifices and crevices, as it is said: 'You probe all the innermost chambers.'

The meaning of this is as follows: when a lamp shines in a dark place, it is possible to search therein and to discover things that cannot be found in full daylight — because in great light the eye is overwhelmed and cannot distinguish details. The light of a lamp, however, being more limited, allows one to see more precisely.

This is the meaning of 'lights to illuminate' — to illuminate the hidden corners, the aspects of the soul that have not yet been refined, the areas of life that have not yet been brought under the light of Torah and Mitzvot.

As I have said, it is difficult for me to write at length. But, given the impression you made upon me when we met personally, I am convinced that there is no need to elaborate further.

The matter concerns, in this instance, that which relates to love of one's fellow[1] — one of the principal values championed by my father-in-law, the Rebbe. And it is well known how great a satisfaction one gives to the Tzaddik* by following his path.

Greeting you and wishing you all good,

Rav Menachem Schneerson,

Director of the Executive Committee[2],