Hanukkah Messages 5771-2010 for Rockville Centre

The Jewish observance of the Holiday of Hanukkah falls out on the Jewish calendar on the twenty-fifth of Kislev – This year corresponding to the night of Dec. 1.

The word Hanukkah means to dedicate. The Bais Hamikdash (The Temple in Jerusalem) was rededicated to a state of purity, a state of holiness and sanctity enabling Jewish people, once again, to draw closer to G-d; to draw closer to a more spiritual existence.

The historical events leading up to this re-dedication of the Temple are well chronicled in Hebrew schools and yeshivos around the world.

The victory of the few over the many; the weak over the strong truly does indeed make it easier for us today to perceive G-d’s work into what we call miracles. That a small one-day supply of oil lasted long enough for more to be acquired (a trip of eight days) was a sign from G-d, approving the actions of the Maccabees.

This not withstanding, we can also use this celebration, this great holiday of Hanukkah as a springboard to reaching even higher levels of spirituality. As the holiday’s name says “dedication”… if we can use the observance of Chanukah to light the Menorah and to ponder G’d’s intention for giving us this miracle… if we use this to renew our dedication to what G-d wants from us, then indeed, all of us will be blessed with all of G-d’s gifts for a wonderful, healthy, peaceful and spiritual life.