It’s the first night of Chanukah. In the darkness of the evening, one small candle plus the shamash (lead candle) can hardly brighten the space around the Menorah. It reminds me of the rabbinic lesson, “All beginnings are hard.” Then comes the second night, and the third, and so on. The Menorah fills with light enough to brighten the space around it and the room where it proudly stands.
Today, the Menorah symbolizes some of the same things it once did many centuries ago. It stands for our people’s pride in overcoming challenges to Jewish life in all ages. Historians agree that in addition to a victory over the Greeks who defiled the Temple in Jerusalem, Chanukah brings together the Jewish people to see in our hearts and minds and hands the passion for our covenant with God.
In the times of Zechariah the Prophet, the project of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem was getting underway. It was no small feat. Delays and overruns impeded progress. But, the prophet Zechariah spoke to Zerubbabel, the lay leader at the head of the community, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit!” God’s promise inspired Zerubbabel. They all came to know that might and power were small matters compared to God’s spirit. Further, Zechariah said, “Zerubbabel’s hands shall complete it… Does anyone scorn a day of small beginnings?”
The prophet’s words still speak to us today, at this season. “A day of small beginnings” marks the dim light of two small candles in the Menorah, and the small steps all of us take on new paths. Just because every beginning is hard, doesn’t mean that we can’t achieve our goals. Like the small glow of the Menorah on the first night of Chanukah, a new light of inspiration and creativity is sparked within us. As the lights of the Menorah grow, so do the skills and abilities we find ourselves enjoying as time unfolds.
Life changes fast. Events in our life force us to acknowledge its blessings and its burdens. More often than not, I observe resilience in those who face its burdens. They don’t succumb to life’s hardships; they gather their resources and assemble a team to turn burdens into blessings. At first, small steps are taken and then bigger steps are made. Milestones are reached and resilience is replaced with fortitude. They look back and see how far they came. At best, they share their strength with others now taking their first small steps.
God plants within each of us more than we know. The hard part about beginnings is believing that what we need is already within us. The Chanukah lights and the prophet’s words should remind us that God’s spirit is with us to illuminate our way and to inspire us to accomplish new and greater tasks.
Friday night, December 11th, light the Menorah and then the Sabbath candles. Together, the lights tell a Jewish story. We are a resilient people whose fortitude has permitted us to thrive in every generation. And, we rest on the Sabbath, to honor God and the covenant we keep. On Friday night, December 18th, our Chanukah Family Service will be celebrated in the sanctuary at 6:30pm. We’ll gather before the Maltz Menorah and stand in the glow of all its lights. God’s spirit abides among us. May God’s gifts shine in you and me now and for ever.
From my family to yours, Happy Chanukah and Shabbat Shalom.
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