The Eighth day of Chanukah and the Kabbalah of Emotional Freedom

The Eighth day of Chanukah and the Kabbalah of Emotional Freedom

In Jewish thought the number seven symbolizes the routine cycles of our lives and the behavior patterns that we follow on a regular basis, both good and bad. We base this on a Mystical idea that views the seven day-creation cycle as an ongoing dynamic — we are its continuity.

The number eight on the other hand symbolizes the interrupting of habit, a venturing out, beyond the shelter of our neat and familiar comfort zones.

In the language of Kabbalah the number seven symbolizes the seven emotional powers, or Sefirot- that come pre wired into the human Soul. All of our routine behavior patterns are fashioned and stem in some form from these seven characteristics.

When we talk about reaching for the number eight in Kabbalah this symbolizes reaching one step above the seven emotional soul powers into the higher realms of the contemplative world, the world of Bina or understanding.

This is one of the esoteric reasons that circumcision is performed on the eight day, gifting the newly arrived soul immediately, with the future ability to live higher and deeper.

Last night we already lit up all eight candles. Today the last day of Chanukah we are in full on “Eighth day” mode.

Today, as we stand in the light of Eight day consciousness, we are empowered to ask ourselves; “what are the areas of my life where I’ve become paralyzed in seven day syndrome?’ Today, surrounded by this bouquet of light, we envision ourselves fearlessly untangling those knots, daring to reach upwards beyond ordinary awareness, awakening to a dawn of new and better ways of being in the world!

Much Love Rabbi Yossi