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Turn on the Light, please!

By Chana Weisberg

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Turn on the Light, please!

When there are shadows in your life, how do you focus on the surrounding light?

Topics:

Optimism & Pessimism, Everything is for the Good, Shadows

When there are shadows in your life, how do you focus on the surrounding light?

By Chana Weisberg

Chana Weisberg is the editor of TheJewishWoman.org. She lectures internationally on issues relating to women, relationships, meaning, self-esteem and the Jewish soul. She is the author of six books. Her latest book, Shabbat Delights, is a two-volume series on the weekly Torah portion.

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30 Comments

katie Michigan, USA June 7, 2019

what a blessing to hear your words. I am currently having a shadow moment. Seeking the purpose of the pain i am going through and trying focus on the surrounding like. thank you for the words of wisdom. Reply

Leah Weingarten England July 7, 2015

Thank you Chana, this is just what I needed to hear now. I am going through the biggest shadow of my life, I am suddenly beginning to realize all I showed myself to be was a cover-up, and there is a world and inner child unexplored inside of me. The feeling of emptiness is enough to make me never want to face the world again. But I know that there is light overhead, a light from inside that wants to be revealed, only after I shift the obstacles, or shift myself will the light appear. Thank you Chana for the parable of such depths. Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, ma January 31, 2012

Candles unlock the heart: keys I like to compare a person to a candle, to see the small "i" that designator of personhood, as in the big I, as a candle. To me the small letter i looks just like a candle. In my minds "I" I can see the flame. I have been writing about the letters and sharing this for a long long time, before coming to Chabad, and yes, it's so true, what Menachem Posner wrote, but can't we, ever, include the entire world?

I am listening now to a beautiful song by Lucinda Williams, that goes... do you feel your act was the final truth/ do you really feel you have all the proof/ do you feel your acr was the final truth?

There is light in her name. I look to names and naming across a universe of names, words and letters. I am seeing a deep story, that involves all of us, Jews and Non Jews, and that storyt has got to be inclusive, and I can say in the word itself, inclusive I hear the word, "clues". We are entering a new state of consciousness. It's so much about LOVE.

Celebrate diversity. In humanity. Reply

Anonymous Irvine, Ca January 28, 2012

Focusing on light I've been going through some awful things lately and the only thing I can really see is the light. I can't focus on the darkness, the horrible things that are happening to my life, instead G-d has given me the grace to focus on Him and the beautiful pieces of my life that remind me of Him. Reply

Menachem Posner for Chabad.org November 3, 2010

To Rachel Leah: I like to compare a Jew to a candle—burning with a passion to serve G-d.

In Brooklyn, you were in a bonfire. There were thousands of Jews all around you—many of them keeping Torah and mitzvahs. It was easy to keep your candle shining bright, as you were kept aflame by the fires all around you. Yet, how much could your candle contribute? Not much, considering that you were in a place blazing bright already.

Now you are a candle in a dark room. It is hard to keep your flam burning; it can be daunting to know that you are one small spark in a sea of darkness. But think also how much more your candle is worth. Your small candle has the potential to bring light to a place that was once shrouded in complete darkness.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of righteous memory, composed a booklet of Chassidic teachings—one for each day of the year. I feel that yesterday’s teaching is especially appropriate for someone in your situation:

“Divine Providence leads everyone to his place of residence for the purpose of strengthening yiddishkeit (Judaism) and disseminating Torah. When you plow and you sow - things will grow.”

Shine your candle, and it will grow to a blazing torch. Reply

Rachel Leah Salisbury, Maryland October 31, 2010

Suffocated by Shadow I moved from Brooklyn, trying to make my way south toward the warmth and sun. Somehow, I got stuck on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I stayed in the area to go to school. There is a Chabad, an hour away but nothing Jewish in Salisbury, MD. I started to learn more about my faith and recently started to keep some things. I feel like I want to do more but can’t. At my University there are some Jews but they are either not religious or know anything about Judaism. I wish we had a kosher store or religious institution somewhere on campus or close by. I don’t want to be shrouded in this dark place; yet, I do want to finish my degree. How can I get more light in my life? I feel like I’m being suffocated by the shadow? Is there an organization that can be started? Is there some way to help bring religion to a school and area with none at all? Reply

Anonymous Mesa, Arizona,USA October 28, 2010

Shadows Sh'lm Chana,
Your message is so sweet, it brings hope to my soul. I have been living with this special hope from G-d. I know His light which shines within me, but the world around me seems to be constantly trying to take it away. This has been happening since I was a child. Too much pain... yet in Him I find peace and true love. My love for Hashem is so strong, that all I want is to just run to Him and never come back. My daily strugle is to maintain that patience and tolerance until He calls me back. I keep busy, in mind and spirit, by working hard and prayer, studying Torah. How can I control my emotions that seems to run me down some days, when I cannot hear my Redeemer's voice, and feel His embrace because of the shadow of the past for which I had not control? Anger sets in for a moment, then I have to shout out to Hashem for help, the feeling of anger makes me feel guilt and I fear losing my beloved. This is a battle, which I know is between me and the Most High G-d. Reply

Anonymous W October 27, 2010

thanks Who isn't going to reflect on your words and images ?
We see the shadow/darkness.
We see the light/brightness.
Better to focus on the light. As you remind us that it is always there.

Thank you. Reply

Motti Monreal, Qc October 26, 2010

Chana, Are these videos new here? I really liked this one. I didn't know there's so many videos, I could learn a lot! Reply

Anonymous brooklyn, NY October 26, 2010

how to overcome them the way i would now overcome mine is to always look at memories of mine that have happened to me-or an excitment that i have, that is going to come...i also look back when the day comes to an end and ask my self A) what Divine Providence happened to me today?
B)what happened today that i felt some sort of joy; something that went that day that made me happy-and that memory i can take and keep forever(and sometimes even put it in my "happy memories section"....

Thank you so much for this clip! i realy love it! i even sent it to some of my friends! Reply

ruth housman marshfield hills, MA October 26, 2010

this is beautiful Hi Chana, I love what you said and the poetry of how you said it.

I was once in a very dark cave in France. I was told this was the darkest cave in the world and that the lights would be turned off. I was actually quite afraid of this, being in the depths of a cave, as I am already claustrophobic. Anyhow, the lights went off, and what happened for me, was that my eyes accommodated after a short time, and I can say within that darkest night, in that cave, I did see light.

I use this when talking to my psychotherapy patients, and in general, that even in the darkest of places, I say, there is always light.

I love what you said about looking for the light, when in despair, as light is all around us and perhaps seeing it elsewhere, can lighten that burden and provide hope. Reply

Deborah MD, USA via ourshul.org October 26, 2010

Thank you Chana for this beautiful message. This is what I needed to hear now, and I am now applying this concept in my life. Reply

Suzy Mobile, Alabama October 25, 2010

Shadows today I am studying Isaiah 8-10.
I must stand and stay directly under the Light of the L-rd of hosts to not cast shadow on my own life or the life of another.
Suzy Reply

Katie Long Williamsport, Pa./USA October 25, 2010

shadows Chana, thank you for your insight! I had been in the darkest Shadow a few years back, someone was blocking the Light of G_D. I kept reaching for the Light, removing the fear, and escaped this person who was doing evil against me. Wisdom is the Light, and when we reach for it, the darkness disapears and the memories of the dark , or shadow only illuminate the Wisdom we have learned.Thank you for reminding me! Reply

sara montreal, ca October 25, 2010

Oh Chana, your message is soooo sweet and uplifting. Thank you.

Sara Reply

Anonymous October 24, 2010

SHADOWS HI CHANA, I HAVE BEEN A VIEWER OF YOUR VIDEOS FOR A LONG TIME,THEY ARE ALL SO SPECIAL!...AND JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW!...THIS ONE TOO..WOW, HOW OFTEN DO WE FEEL FEAR, WHEN ITS ONLY A "SHADOW"...THANKS FOR THE CLARITY..!! Reply

Anonymous monsey, ny October 24, 2010

i have overcome some shadows with positive thinking. sometimes i slip back into sadness though..its easier, takes less effort Reply

hadahra ben-israel huyck fairbanks, AK April 1, 2009

overcoming shadows i was raised with severe neglect and abuse.
i developed what therapists call "magical thinking". this is how i battled all those shadows.
i am so thankful for that magical thinking...but it has leftme having a hard time with reality and how to avoid shadows. now i seem to gravitate towards shadows because i didn't learn practical real life ways of avoiding darkness.
i have overcome so many shadows......i love my magical thinking.....for some reason it isn't working as well.....i don't like to dwell on shadows.....but knowing where they live would be helpful....
oy, i hope i am not confusing

thank you chana Reply

Kayo Kaneko Tokyo, Japan March 22, 2009

Beis Chabad
In the darkness of the world,
the little Beis Chabad of Tokyo filled the light in my life. Reply

Karen Bogach Toronto , Canada March 20, 2009

The light Hi Channa, I need to focus on the light
maybe you can help me focus on the light. Reply

Turn on the Light, please!

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