Each Hanukkah, I watch the candles burn on my Hanukkiyah and by the eighth night I am completely mesmerized by the lights. The Rabbis ordained that we should light the Hanukkah menorah each night in order to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah. Interestingly, the light of the candles is not to be used for any other purpose (like illuminating a room in order to see). But the original reason for marking the holiday with light is uncertain. From the Books of Maccabees we know that they burned incense on the altar and lit the lamps on the menorah when they rededicated the Temple; however, the well-known story of the miraculous cruse of oil does not appear in the Books of Maccabees nor in the Mishnah, but only in the Talmud.
So why do we celebrate Hanukkah with light? Rabbi Jose, in the Talmud (Megillah 24b), says, “I was long perplexed by the following verse: ‘And you shall grope at noonday as the blind gropes in darkness [Deut. 28:29].’ What difference does it make to a blind man whether it is dark or light? Once I was walking on a pitch-black night when I saw a blind man walking with a torch in his hands. I asked him: ‘Why do you carry the torch?’ He replied: ‘As long as the torch is in my hand, people can see me and aid me.’”
From this, we can derive deeper meaning about the Hanukkah candles. They not only remind us of what happened 2000 years ago in the Temple, but they also represent the light of the human spirit and the light of the Divine presence in our lives. The Hanukkah menorah reminds us that no matter how dark life may be, there always remains a source of light inside us. Each of us can brighten up the lives of others through acts of Tzedakkah, kindness and Tikkun Olam.
Let us also keep in mind this Hanukkah those who are still being held hostage in Gaza, their loved ones who continue to fight for their return, and the families and communities of all those who have been killed and injured on and since Oct. 7th, 2023. They all need our light and continued support. Am Yisrael Chai!
Wishing you a meaningful, joyful and peaceful Hanukkah! I hope to see you at our CBI community Hanukkah celebrations this week/next week! Chag Urim Same’ach!
Cantor Lorna
