The holy Zohar in Parshas Pinchos recounts a fascinating exchange whereby Rebbe Abba asked Reb Shimon Bar Yochai: Why is it that the nations of the world do not “shuckel”—why do only Jews sway back and forth when they pray and learn Torah?
Reb Shimon revealed that this movement reflects something profoundly spiritual. When a Yid learns Torah or davens, their neshamah—their soul, which is a direct part of Hashem—comes alive. The passuk says, “Ner Hashem nishmas adam”—the soul of man is like the flame of Hashem. Just as a flame constantly flickers, leaping upward, as if yearning to connect to something higher, so too the neshamah is always striving, always seeking to connect to Hashem.
Our neshamah is on fire!
