Be a hero, be a ‘Maskabee’

As the weather gets colder, and as the days get shorter and darker, many peoples and cultures have celebrations involving the kindling of lights. In the Jewish tradition we eagerly await the arrival of a much beloved holiday, Hanukkah.

Hanukkah reminds us of the struggle of the Maccabees. During a dark time of oppression they fought for their right to practice Judaism. Their victory meant that they would be free to celebrate the Jewish holidays and to study the Torah. Then they purified and rededicated the Holy Temple of Jerusalem and rekindled the Menorah, the candelabrum.

We too live in a dark time of great suffering. The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the world with great force. Every day we see new records being broken: number of new infections, number of people hospitalized and, most sadly, number of deaths. The forecast for this winter is a freezing number of infections and deaths.

We need to understand that we are not only facing the threat posed by a small virus. We are also facing a threat caused by a great deal of human callousness and indifference.

Every day we can see people going to stores without observing proper social distance.  People go around and about without masks or using their masks as a chin guard or as a nose supporter.  Every health expert will tell us that, to be effective, a mask must cover from the bridge of the nose all the way to below the chin.

We need to observe these simple measures in order to protect ourselves and others, to preserve the sanctity of human life. In Hebrew, this concept is a commandment called Pikuach Nefesh, saving a soul.

In a season marked by candle lighting we need to pay attention not only to the physical candles we light but even more so to our spiritual candles. According to the book of Mishlei (Proverbs) “God’s candle is the soul of a person” (20:27).  We need to protect God’s precious candles, our souls, above all.

Let us make this holiday season not just about buying and giving presents. Let us make a commitment to take care of others and ourselves and to help so many people among us who have been greatly impacted by the pandemic.

Bring a donation to your local food pantry. Be a hero, be a “Maskabee.” Use your mask with pride. Keep your social distance and your spiritual closeness. Listen to the health authorities. There is light at the end of the dark tunnel. Promising vaccines will start to become available soon, God willing.

Meanwhile let us light our candles and protect our souls so we can survive the cold days of winter. May we all have a meaningful, happy, safe and healthy holiday season.

Rabbi Claudio Kupchik, of Temple Beth El in Cedarhurst.