| Yesterday I attended a Jewish birthday event for | | | | support for others by passing on the light as we |
| a friend who organizes monthly women's events | | | | perform other mitzvahs. |
| all throughout the year. She was the first real | | | | 4. As we bring light, we become stronger to deal |
| person I had gotten to know during my first few | | | | with life. The light of the candle is G-d's light |
| weeks in Pittsburgh. Literally for me, she was the | | | | teaching us to be responsible, unique and to let go |
| light as I got to know other women of the Jewish | | | | of our prejudices. We can learn teachings from |
| community, learn a few insights on Judaism and | | | | the Torah and share our struggles and collaborate. |
| kabbalah and participate in a little activity. | | | | 5. The light of a candle is beautiful. |
| In a circle, she told us how each one of us | | | | Beresheet or the book of creation begins with |
| represented the light for her - our own little | | | | "And G-d created light and it was good." We |
| "neshama" or, soul. Each one of us represents the | | | | know that in the beginning each person had his |
| light for ourselves and others - we should need to | | | | her own light but there was too much light in the |
| know. As we light the candles, think of what a | | | | universe which could not be contained so each |
| light can represent for you. Here are some | | | | person contained his/her own light. A hassid is a |
| thoughts: | | | | lamplighter and goes beyond the law. Sometimes |
| 1. Like a person, a candle can be a guiding light. | | | | this is not always easy to go beyond one's |
| 2. Like a candle, a person has many layers of light. | | | | comfort level. |
| 3. With our own light, we can provide help and | | | | |