R. Yehuda ibn Attar (1655–1733), who served as rabbi in Fez, is regarded as one of the greatest leaders among Moroccan Jewry. A saintly and pious man, he was known as a miracle worker and was revered by the local Jews and Muslims alike. He refused to accept a salary from the community, working as a goldsmith instead.
It is related that he was once thrown into a lion’s den and miraculously survived unharmed (Shem Hagedolim). This protagonist of this story is often said to be—apparently in error—R. Yehuda’s kinsman, R. Chaim ibn Attar (see link below).
Link: Rabbi Chaim ibn Attar
It all began with an unbounded light
that filled all and left no room for a world to be.
Then that light was withheld
so that the world might be created in the resulting void.
Then the world was created,
with the purpose of returning to that original state of light
—yet to remain a world.
That is something greater than unbounded light:
A dark world that shines, through our hard work.