Late one night, R’ Yisroel Salanter zt”l chanced to enter a shoemaker’s home.  The shoemaker was sitting and doing his work by the flickering light of a candle that was about to go out. “Why are you still working?” asked R’ Yisroel.  “The hour is late. Besides, your candle will soon go out and you won’t be able to finish.”

“That’s no problem,” answered the shoemaker.  “As long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to work and to repair.”

R’ Yisroel was deeply impressed by these words, for if one must work for his physical needs as long as the candle is lit, how much more so must a person work for his spiritual improvement so long as the soul  – “G-d’s candle – is in him.

For many days after, R’ Yisroel was heard pacing his room, chanting with great fervor, “As long as the candle is burning, it is still possible to work and to repair.” ~ Sparks of Mussar