Oil lamps and later, candles, have been a symbol of God’s light. The imagery of lamps was used in the Temple and its purpose was to demonstrate that God’s habitation is a place of light.

"For thou wilt light my candle: the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness." (Psalms 18:28)

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5)

" The warm, shimmering glow of candles has illuminated Jewish homes and synagogues for many centuries. Although horses have given way to automobiles and ancient handicrafts are being replaced by modern machines, the old-fashioned candle will continue to symbolize for Jews the spirit of God, the light of the Torah, the conclusion of the Sabbath and the memory of those who have passed away."

"Before candles became commonplace, oil lamps were used for ritual purposes, including the ner tamid ("eternal light") suspended above the Ark in the synagogue, the Hanukkah and Sabbath lights, and the flickering reminder of a loved one during the seven-day mourning period and on the anniversary of his death. In those days, the oil lamp was preferred to candles, which were often made from the fat of non-kosher animals. The invention of paraffin, a waxy substance extracted from petroleum, led to the widespread use of candles by the Jewish people, and it has continued up to our own times."

"Women usher in the Sabbath each week by lighting candles and blessing God "who sanctified us by His commandments and commanded us to kindle the Sabbath light." On Saturday night, traditional Jewish families light a havdalah candle made of several wicks braided together, raise a cup of wine and sniff fragrant spices, thus bidding farewell to the Sabbath peace and beginning a new week. Sephardic Jews often use a single, unbraided candle for this ceremony. On the evening before Passover, the head of the household searches for the forbidden leaven (bedikat hamez) with the aid of a simple candle, and in various parts of the world, candles are carried on weekdays before the scroll of the Torah and held while it is being read in the synagogue. At weddings, too, the parents of the bride and groom sometimes hold candles when they escort the young couple to the huppah ."

"Oil was the basic fuel in biblical times, and was used not only for ordinary lamps but also for the Menorah in the Temple which burned continuously. The destruction of its oil supply by the Syrians in the second century B.C.E. and the subsequent discovery of one portion of oil which lasted for eight days is the basis of the Hanukkah celebration. The oil used in the Temple had to be ritually pure, which meant it had to be prepared and stored in a special way."

"Numerous oil lamps in all shapes and sizes have been recovered from archaeological excavations in the Middle East, attesting to their frequent usuage in ancient times. Many of these lamps were used as Sabbath lights and Hanukkah menorot and are therefore decorated with religious symbols and Hebrew writing." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

The common household oil lamp of two thousand years ago had enough capacity for an evening’s light. It was small enough to be cradled in the palm of your hand and was about an inch or slightly more in height. It had a hole in the middle on the top to pour oil in. The oil lamp also had an elongated spout-like extension where the cotton string wick would protrude. Extending the wick would provide a brighter flame while consuming the oil faster. Trimming the lamp would mean extending the wick just enough to keep a flickering flame and using a minimal amount of oil. When more light was needed, a pin could be used to pull the wick out a little further, thereby increasing the light.

In the parable of the ten virgins, they were invited to "light the way" of the bridegroom, (still being done in the Middle East). It may include a lesson of irresponsibility or self-service. The foolish virgins may have used up too much light (oil) for themselves early on in the evening and were left unprepared for the Master as he arrived later. Were they dedicated to serve him or themselves?

Service to others reflects the great service the Lord does for us. Even slavery can be turned into service by remembering the Lord’s repeated instruction.

"Then saith he unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s." (Matthew 22:21)

"We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law." (Articles of Faith 11)

Service is a hallmark of God’s covenant people. Latter-day Saints with their auxiliary organizations of Priesthood and Relief Society and the Jewish organizations of Bnai B’rith, WIZO (World Zionist Organization) and Hadassah are activities for men, youth and women dedicated to serve others.

"B'nai B'rith is the world's oldest and largest Jewish service organization, with lodges and chapters in 42 countries. In 1980 B'nai B'rith's total membership numbered approximately 500,000 Jewish men, women, and youth. There are 1,700 men's lodges, 25% of them outside North America, with a male membership of 210,000, and a U.S. budget of over $13,000,000. Its program encompasses the totality of Jewish concerns and includes many programs in the interest of the wider community. B'nai B'rith was founded on October 13, 1843, by 12 men who met in a cafe on the Lower East Side of New York to establish a new fraternal order for U.S. Jews who then numbered 15,000 souls. In 1865 the order made a substantial grant to aid cholera epidemic sufferers in Erez Israel, and six years later to provide food, clothing, and medical supplies for victims of the Chicago fire. The organization established orphanages, homes for the aged, and hospitals. After 1881, when the mass immigration from Eastern Europe poured into the country, B'nai B'rith sponsored Americanization classes, trade schools, and relief programs."

"When anti-Semitism in the United States increased, B'nai B'rith founded its Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in 1913 to strengthen interreligious understanding and cooperation, to improve relations between the races, and above all to protect the status and rights of Jews."

"The concern of B'nai B'rith for the preservation of Jewish tradition and values was given new impetus with the establishment in 1923 of the first B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation to serve the religious, cultural, and social needs of the Jewish students at the University of Illinois. The Hillel movement spread to almost 400 university campuses on six continents. Hillel also sponsors chairs of Judaic studies and faculty programs. B'nai B'rith also sponsors a youth organization and projects in adult education. It supports the State of Israel through the advocacy activities of the International Affairs Department, the socially conscious program of B'nai B'rith Israel (District 14), and the activities of B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem (est. 1980). Since 1991 B'nai B'rith has been a member of the WZO."

"Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, was also active in pioneer medical efforts in Erez Israel, and in 1939, Hadassah Hospital was opened in Jerusalem in conjunction with the Hebrew University. Hadassah has since developed into one of the world's leading research and medical facilities, and together with Israel's several other hospitals, provides the country with outstanding medical care." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

In Jewish thought, prayer is referred to as "service of the heart." Religious convocations and worship meetings are often called "services." In the Bible times, the firstborns of each family were dedicated to the service of God. The name of the prophet Samuel means dedicated to God.

"Hannah (was) wife of Elkanah and mother of the prophet Samuel. The Bible describes her as a devout woman who made an annual pilgrimage to the Temple in Shiloh to offer sacrifices. Although she was Elkanah's favorite wife, she was childless for many years, and her co-wife Peninnah taunted her about this. Once, as she stood in the Temple, pouring out her anguish at her barrenness, and vowing to dedicate any son born to her to the Temple and to the service of God, the high priest Eli heard her and added his blessing to her pleas. Finally Hannah gave birth to a son, Samuel. After weaning him, she brought him to the Temple, offered a sacrifice and a song of thanksgiving, and left him with Eli to serve in the Temple for life. Each year she returned to bring him a small cloak. Eli blessed her, and she bore three more sons and two daughters. According to the Talmud, Hannah was one of the seven prophetesses mentioned in the Bible."

"Firstborn, is the term referring to a male offspring who is the first issue of his mother's womb. According to the Torah, the firstborn, known in Hebrew as bekhor, has special sanctity. Therefore, he is subject to specific Torah laws which apply to all firstborn human beings and animals of the following types: cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys. The purpose of these laws is to teach us that everything in the world belongs to God and man owns only what God has given to him. When a man has worked hard to raise a family or rear a herd of animals, and finally sees the first fruits of his labor, the Torah tells him that these first fruits belong to God. Therefore, if man wishes to own and enjoy these gifts, he must redeem them from their rightful owner."

"In addition to the above definition of the bekhor, there exists in halakhah another definition of firstborn based on the father's side. Here, the firstborn is the male offspring who is the first child born to the father. Legally this child has certain privileges; he is his father's principal heir, and inherits a double portion of his father's property." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

Charity is sometimes viewed as a response to begging. As a juxtaposition, in Israel, those requesting money justify themselves as providing the giver with a way to keep one of the commandments.

"For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land." (Deuteronomy 15:11)

". . . beggars consist of two groups, genuine beggars, and collectors for the old-fashioned yeshivot who are to some extent encouraged by the authorities of the yeshivah, not only as a source of income but in addition as affording the worshipers an opportunity of combining prayer with charity." (Encyclopedia Judaica Jr.)

In continuing a juxtaposition of thoughts, the goat, so often connected with the imagery of wrongs and wrong doing is also the very sacrificial animal that was "blessed" with the wrong doings of the people. On the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) it escaped sacrifice by being led out of the temple through a gate with three names; the Gate of Mercy, the Gate of Forgiveness and the Gate Beautiful. It was tied with a red ribbon so that no one would kill it. The goat died on its own, outside the temple, carrying the sins of the people. It was the scape goat. In response to our giving up our sins, the Lord serves us. In his mercy he forgives. It is beautiful. It lightens our lives.