The theme of the lighting of candles is often found within Judaism. The Jewish people are considered to be a «candle lighter»: for the Shabbat, for Hanukkah, for the feast days, for the Menorah, daily in the Temple, for a mourning etc.
When a Jew prays, the rocking motion of his body symbolizes the flame of his soul being kindled by the fire of inspiration.
In the book of Proverbs, the soul of man is compared to a divine candle:
The human spirit is a lamp, ner candle, of Adonai; it searches one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20 :27
The Hebrew word for flame is shalevet שַׁלְהֶבֶתְ which has a numeric value of 737. This value fits also with the three degrees of adoration mentioned in the prayer of Shema Yisrael : with all your heart, all your soul and all your power : 737
Bechol levavkha ubechol nafshekha oubechol meodekha
בְּכָל-לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל-נַפְשְׁךָ וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶךָ
Source:Sukkat David Ministry
The Renewed Covenant by the Light of the Torah Newsletter, Sivan 15 5767-June 01, 2007
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