Lesson 1: Moving from darkness to light. We have all experienced dark periods in our lives, Frankel and HaLevi write in their book Revolution of Jewish Spirit. Sometimes that darkness stems from an individual struggle, like the loss of a job, a loved one, or a sense of purpose in one’s life. At other times, it is a collective darkness, like the kind we all experienced September 11, 2001 and in its aftermath. When darkness spreads it can lead to despair and hopelessness. It is important to recognize that place if we are to transcend it. Sometimes the situation calls for outward action, while other times what is needed is inward reflection.