Rise Above: Shine a Little Light

This week's parsha is called Shmini, the "Eighth," which refers to the day after the seven days of training the Kohanim, priests, had before the inauguration of the Mishkan. Until the eighth day, Hashem's presence did not fill the Mishkan, the G-dly fire didn't descend onto the altar.

What is it about the "Eighth"  that makes all the difference?

In nature we find seven to be common. You have seven days of the week, seven years to our agricultural cycle. Kabbala teaches that there are seven building blocks of creation, which is six emotional attributes and the the seventh, malchut, which amplifies these attributes, and they are directly connected to the six days of the week, and Shabbos.

We also find that music has seven notes. A through G. We even are told that King David had a lear that had seven strings.

All these sevens are meant to bring to the "Eighth."

What is the "Eighth?"

The "Eighth" is our true essence, it is our ability to transcend nature and connect with the part of ourselves that is above nature, our neshama, our soul. The neshama is a part of Hashem, and when we rise above nature we feel our essential bond with Him.

The seven days of training, brought them to the Eighth day, on which Hashem's presence reentered the Jewish community. This is because we once again found our way above our physical selves and revealed our oneness with Hashem.

We work all week for Shabbos and if we utilize Shabbos correctly it will bring us to the next level.

Music has the ability to move us. Music is the language of the soul. The right music will uplift you and bring you closer to Hashem.

Several years ago, while going through a rough patch, I wrote a song asking Hashem to shine a little light and brighten, what felt like a darkness that I could not overcome. Then I realized that there is no darkness that cannot be overcome. All I needed to do is dig deep inside and find the light inside me, my beautiful neshama, and let it shine on myself and others. Writing the song uplifted me.

Once again, my family and I found ourselves in a dark situation, Hashem gifted me with ALS. Every day seemed worse than the one before, as I was getting weaker each day. Then my daughter Fruma found the song, which I recorded on a cell phone. Once again it was there to lift me up.

When my friend Chaim Marcus heard the song, he felt that the world should hear it. Gathering some of the greatest talent he produced this song, and he spared nothing to make sure it is perfect, and it is. We are so thankful to all of those who put their talents and their hearts into this project. Without you it would still be just a little light.

It lifted me up, I hope the song lifts you up as well.