Chanukah: A time to find, share the light within you

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Chanukah, the Festival of Light, reminds us of our responsibility to bring light into a world that sometimes seems so dark. All around us we see signs of doom and gloom and the news seems to grow more depressing by the day. Feelings of uncertainty make us fearful for the future in a way that is unfamiliar to us. Let us remember that, as Americans, we have been imbued with an attitude that says that all obstacles can be overcome. We in the Jewish community are heirs to a history that has often presented us with difficulties that seemed insurmountable. Yet we are here, and we are strong.

Chanukah is a holiday of hope and belief in a brighter and better future. The Prophet Jeremiah witnessed the destruction of the city of Jerusalem and Solomon’s Temple by the Babylonians in about 587 B.C. And yet, he could say with certainty, “There is hope for your future!” [Jeremiah 31:16]. More than 2,000 years ago, Judah and his brothers, known as the Maccabees, saw the rebuilt Temple desecrated and their freedom to worship and practice as Jews denied, but they never lost hope. Struggling mightily against their oppressors, the Maccabees persevered until they were victorious and restored Jewish independence and freedom of worship. Their victory gave birth to the story of the jar of oil that defied all odds and provided light for eight days when it should have lasted only one day, serving ever since as a symbol of hope for the Jewish people and all humanity.

In recent years, Chanukah has been a time to enjoy success and affluence beyond the imagination of our ancestors. In the past, Chanukah was not about showering the children with gifts for eight nights, as wonderful as that tradition has become. It was about the remembrance of bravery and the wondrous deeds of our ancestors that kept alive the faith of the people of Israel, despite the attempts of a cruel dictator to sunder their connection

to God.

I would not want to earn the ire of little children by denying them presents on Chanukah, but I would like to augment them by encouraging gifts to charities, so that the Festival of Light becomes once again a reason for bringing light into a world that seems so dark at times. Traditionally, the Chanukiah — a modern term for the eight branched Menorah in which candles are lit each night of the holiday in ascending order — is placed in a window facing the street in order to “publicize the miracle” of Chanukah. The Chanukiah in the window is also a symbol of bringing light into the world.

A lovely Chanukah song from Israel says, “We come to dispel the darkness, the light and the flame are in our hands. Each one of us is but a tiny light, but together we create a strong, bright light!” Chanukah is all about finding that light that is within each of us, and connecting it with the light we find in others, to illuminate the world with the light of hope for a better future. May we all have a joyous Chanukah and may all our holidays be filled with light and warmth!

Rabbi Elliot Skiddell serves the congregation at Central Synagogue-Beth Emeth. He can be contacted by calling (516) 766-4300, ext. 312, or at rabbi@rcbe.org.