Rabbi Eliezer ben Eliyahu Ashkenazi (1512-1585) was a highly regarded Talmudist, as well as a physician. He authored various works, including Ma'ase ha-Shem -- a commentary on the historical portions of the Pentateuch, also including a commentary on the Passover Hagaddah -- and Yosef Lekach, dedicated and named after Don Yosef Nasi, the Duke of Naxos.
“The human soul is a divine lamp.” (Proverbs 20:27)
The act of lighting the Chanukah menorah contains the entire purpose of every human being.
Because every human soul entered this world for one reason alone: To be a lamp. To bring light wherever there is darkness.
When you give people faith in themselves, in their future, in the sanctity of their own souls, you have not only brought them light—you have made them into human lamps.
You have given them their purpose.
