The Spiritual Power of Waking Up: Understanding the Divine Morning Embrace

After distinguishing between two types of rest- the emotional reset achieved through sleep and the spiritual empowerment accessed through mindful awakening- we must now define these two modes of relaxation more precisely, and explore the deep spiritual meaning behind each state.

We begin with two foundational concepts from Kabbalah and Chassidut that relate to how divine energy flows into human life. These ideas explain the difference in how spiritual energy influences a person’s inner world, particularly in the context of healing the soul.

The first concept is “serenity”, which refers to a present state of calm in which all one’s needs are fully met. The second is “hope”, which refers to the confident anticipation of future goodness. These two experiences correspond to two forms of divine influence:

1. Actualized kindness- blessings already received from G-d, which bring inner peace and spiritual reassurance.

2. Potential kindness- blessings that are ready and waiting to be given, once the person becomes spiritually prepared to receive them

.Inner Light and Surrounding Light

In the language of Chassidut, the first type of blessing- already internalized- is known as “Or Pnimi” (Inner Light). It is like water poured into a vessel that fully holds it. This light is already integrated into the person’s spiritual system.

The second type, the one not yet received, is referred to as “Or Makif” (Surrounding Light). It encircles the person spiritually, hovering just beyond their grasp, because they have not yet developed the “vessels”- the mitzvot and inner readiness- required to receive it.

How can a person be affected by spiritual light they haven’t yet internalized? What impact does this Surrounding Light have on the soul?

A Father’s Gift

Imagine a father educating his child. Sometimes he gives a gift not just as a reward, but also to uplift the child and encourage his growth. Even before giving the gift, the father may describe it in detail or even show it to the child- placing it visibly on a shelf- to motivate good behavior. He may even put it in the child’s hands but lock it, saying: “It’s yours, you just need to take the next step to earn it.”

The more clearly the child sees the gift, the stronger the encouragement. It’s not just the gift, but the love, the belief, and the sense that something good is coming. That alone can motivate the child to make extraordinary progress.

In this way, potential kindness- even before it is given- can elevate a person emotionally and spiritually. The knowledge that something good awaits can draw out untapped inner strength.

What is the Meaning of a Good Mood?

The Talmud teaches (Sanhedrin 94a) that a person’s positive mood often comes from the future blessings already prepared for them in heaven. Likewise, anxiety or depression can stem from the soul’s subconscious awareness of spiritual disconnection or danger.

This is the secret behind the Or Makif- G-d’s love and kindness already prepared for the person, though not yet received. The soul, in its spiritual sensitivity, feels this light. And when that awareness is strong, it creates excitement, motivation, and hope.

The Arizal teaches that the stronger a person’s connection to their Or Makif, the more energized, focused, and spiritually alive they become. This light draws power from the person's hopes and aspirations. If those hopes are aligned with spiritual goals, the light will awaken a love for holiness. If however the person’s focus is purely material, then this same light will fuel their pursuit of worldly desires instead.

The more a person trusts in G-d, the more the Or Makif amplifies their inner channels of blessing. If the person is filled with ego and self-reliance, they may misuse this divine energy. They disconnect the light from its Source- and ultimately find themselves disappointed and drained, realizing they are not in control as they imagined. That is the moment to shift one’s trust back to its proper place: in G-d.

Waking with Joy and Trust

Waking up with energy and excitement is deeply connected to one’s faith and trust in G-d, and to the awareness of divine goodness awaiting them. Before even getting out of bed, one should reflect on the blessings G-d is preparing with endless love.

One can even imagine the Or Makif as a spiritual embrace, surrounding the soul. The Arizal writes (Pri Etz Chaim, Sukkot) that this light is like a divine hug from G-d, enveloping a person in the future goodness already designated for them.

G-d Is Hugging You When You Wake Up

Simply thinking about G-d’s kindness helps the soul become a vessel for receiving it. The key to receiving divine blessing is the awareness that such blessing exists and is constantly flowing.

This general Or Makif- the broad stream of divine light- is a spiritual connection linking the person to G-d’s infinite light. It grows stronger through mitzvah observance and Torah learning, and weakens with every transgression, which severs parts of this connection, like a cord slowly unraveling.

Similar to a king stretching out his arms to hug his beloved child. If the child responds with love, the hug deepens. But if the child pulls away, treats the king like a stranger, the hug loosens, or ends.

Testimonies of a Spiritual Hug

Many people who have experienced clinical death- a state where the heart stops but brain function remains- describe an overwhelming sense of peace, love, and a tunnel of light. One woman described: "I saw myself hovering above my body, with people around me. Then I saw a glowing circle of white light, and within it, a deep blue light. I felt myself being pulled in. I was surrounded by complete beauty, peace, and stillness- like I was floating inside it. There was a tunnel with a light at the end."

Such testimonies, from people all over the world, reflect a shared experience of divine embrace- a moment when the soul feels G-d's surrounding love.

The Arizal revealed that the continuation of this spiritual hug depends on a person’s spiritual level in life. If someone has betrayed their soul’s connection to G-d, the light may appear briefly, only to draw the soul out of the body, and then vanish, leaving the soul disconnected. In this case, the Or Makif- the hug- was never truly theirs.

Return the Embrace

When we wake up in the morning, we must remember that G-d is already hugging us, and He longs for us to hug back.

That spiritual embrace gives us energy for the day. We must use it well, deepening our connection through awareness, love, and above all, Torah and mitzvot, the 613 commandments and 7 rabbinic mitzvot, which together form 620 eternal bonds with the Divine.

To embrace G-d is to live with purpose, love, and light.

Rabbi Yehuda Wingarten is the chairman of Yesod HaChassidut Institute and "Foundations of Education" organization.