Light & Darkness

Perhaps it was the oils of the black bird's feathers that refracted the light of the sun into so many rainbows. Perhaps it was the mystery of her absolute blackness, or the contrast she held against the bright morning sky. All that could be said is that ...

Morgenstern drove slowly, carefully surveying the suburban neighborhood. Night was when a creature’s true colors were revealed. If they were a predatory species, these humans would use the cover of darkness for their darkest deeds . . .

I bought the paints, the brushes, a book, some canvases, and the table easel, went home and cleared off the dining room table and set everything up. There it sat for about two weeks. I walked by it. I peered at it. I arranged it. I examined it...

“The flame is not yours,” said the Rebbe, “you are just its carrier. The lamp is ready to be lit—you need only touch it with the flame.” “Should I grab him by the throat?” asked the chassid. “By the throat, no,” replied the rebbe. “By the lapels, yes.”

The Baal Shem Tov loved light. So his disciples always made sure to have many candles burning whenever they expected their master...

As things seemed to go from bad to worse, I pushed my chair away from the desk and forced myself to take a few breaths. I had to do something, or I knew I was doomed to have my day continue its downspin . . .