Sefer Yetzirah - Water from Breath - Der Nister Meditation Circle

(11) Three: Water from Breath.

With it He engraved and carved

[22 letters from]

chaos and void

mire and clay

He engraved them like a sort of garden

He carved them like a sort of wall

He covered them like a sort of ceiling

[And he poured snow over them

and it became dust

as it is written

"For to snow He said, 'Become earth'" (Job 37:6).]

Early Version

(11) Three—

Water from Wind.

He engraved and carved in Them

chaos and void,

mud and clay -

engraved Them like a kind of garden,

carved Them like a kind of wall,

wove Them like kind of ceiling.

(trans. Rabbi Jill Hammer)

(2) The Midrash (Shemos Rabba 36:2) states that Hashem does not need the Menorah's light; rather, Bnei Yisrael illuminate the world. Hashem desires Bnei Yisrael to draw all creation to its divine source, thereby illuminating the world with the life force of Hashem. The phrase “to be a light constantly” means every action should be elevated for Hashem. The hidden light in creation, as mentioned in "How great is the good that you have hidden," is revealed on Shabbos, elevating all of creation. The Midrash Tanchuma explains that the greatest and the lowest in Bnei Yisrael are equated through humility, recognizing everything comes from Hashem. This humility connects them to the divine source, fulfilling Hashem’s desire.
The term “pure oil” (כתית) symbolizes self-nullification to Hashem. Additionally, enthusiasm beyond normal levels, like Avraham's, binds Hashem to us. This energy was given to Moshe, representing the collective mind of Bnei Yisrael, enabling them to follow his commands. The Midrash concludes that Bnei Yisrael illuminate Hashem by nullifying their desires and sacrificing themselves for Hashem. Therefore, the way Bnei Yisrael give this light to Hashem, elevating above all of creation, is through both their humility and their generous self-sacrifice.