The Candle That Kept Burning

Yisroelik was a gifted young boy who loved to study Torah. By age seven, he had outpaced all his teachers and began learning on his own, turning to the town’s rabbi only when he encountered difficult Talmudic questions.

His father, Reb Shabtai, was proud — but concerned. Yisroelik would stay up late learning, and Reb Shabtai feared for his health. He instructed his son to return home at a set hour each evening. But Yisroelik would often lose track of time, completely absorbed in his studies.

To help, Reb Shabtai arranged that the synagogue’s caretaker give Yisroelik a small candle that would burn for about an hour. When it went out, Yisroelik would know it was time to come home.

One night, Yisroelik didn’t return. Anxious, Reb Shabtai checked with the rabbi and the caretaker — both confirmed he hadn’t received more time or another candle. Rushing to the study hall, they found Yisroelik still learning, the small candle still burning.

Just as Reb Shabtai cried out in frustration, the candle suddenly went out.

“I didn’t keep it burning,” Yisroelik said tearfully. “It just never went out.”

The rabbi turned to Reb Shabtai and said gently, “Your son is special. His Torah learning brought joy in heaven. Angels surrounded him — and their merit kept the flame alive. Only when we interrupted did it go out.”

From that day on, Reb Shabtai no longer limited his son’s learning.

Yisroelik would grow to become the great Rabbi Yisroel of Kozhnitz, spreading the light of Torah to the world.