Chinese legend relates that during the Han Dynasty [260BC-220 CE] Emperor Wu despaired at the death of his wife Lady Li. Growing more and more disconsolate with each passing day, his ministers called upon a Taoist magician who brought the inconsolable emperor into a darkened room and seated him before a screen. Placing a small flame behind the screen the magician seemingly was able to conjure up the image of Lady Li. The emperor was restored.
The Chinese have used shadow puppet theatre to tell ancient religious stories and myths. Shadow puppetry requires only three things - a translucent screen, a light source and a figure which can easily be moved across the screen with rods to 'tell' a story. The audience seated in front of the screen sees only the interplay of light and dark. The glow, intensity, urgency of the flame influences the puppet's size and shape. Although the story may be clear, it is only a story told by a shadow moving across a blank screen, propelled by fire.
Every Friday evening, at a time which is neither day nor night I bring in Shabbat with fire and along with that flame - which can be calm and statuesque or urgent and distracted - I welcome the unseen yet present Shabbat angels. I greet them, request their blessing, invite them to be seated. Although these angels are merely unseen shadows emboldened by the supernal light that I have brought into my home, they are the divine messengers which tell a story of wholeness, of peace and of God's presence.
Twenty five hours after their arrival, I bid them farewell with light and spices - strong light for discernment, spices to gladden the soul.
I welcome the flame which illuminates the story of these divine messengers who glide across the fragile screen that separates this world from the world to come. I welcome my weekly chance to dance with angels.
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