No matter how it’s spelled, Chanukah is a minor Jewish holiday that means “dedication.” It’s minor, because it’s not a pilgrimage holiday that obligated Jews, in ancient times, to arrive in Jerusalem and offer sacrifices. Though a minor holiday, it has come to mean more to us every year, and this year is no exception.

The Talmud, Tractate 21b, asks, “What is Chanukah?” The answer explains the miracle of oil story and how just one small cruse of oil was able to light the Temple lights for eight days. Centuries later in 1871, a commentator known for his work called the Sefat Emet, explained the real miracle of Chanukah. He taught that unlike Purim, another minor holiday, when Hallel (or praises) to God are not added to the worship service, Hallel is recited on Chanukah. Why? He taught:

Though God redeemed us from Greek rule, that redemption was not complete since the Greeks continued to possess power. But, through the miracle of the light, the Jews were able to feel that they were God’s servants despite their living in exile (in the shadow of Greek power that they could not shake entirely). This, then, was precisely the miracle: they experienced a revelation through the lights of the Menorah that they could serve God despite living in the darkness of exile. This feeling of transcending the natural order of things in this world has continued throughout the generations (IJS Hevraya Resource Bank, Rabbi Dan Ornstein).

We are Jews in America. We don’t live in “exile,” though we do live in the diaspora, a land outside of Israel. Even here and now, the darkness of the past, experienced by our ancestors who did live in exile, has returned to us. Darkness has a grip on us in the form of Hamas and Hezbollah, barbaric terrorists on Israel’s borders, and in pervasive antisemitism, or Jew-hatred, across America and the world,. That is why it’s so important to light the Menorah on Chanukah.

Just as the Sefat Emet teaches, lighting the menorah demonstrates that we can serve God, we can be Jewish, and we can take pride in the land of Israel, despite living in darkness. When the Sefat Emet lived, night was only dark. Very dark. The eighth night of Chanukah must have been a special event in his home where the heavenly glow of his Menorah was a revelation for him. Though our modern city streets are ablaze with light and our homes are never truly dark anymore, the Menorah can still stand out if we turn off the lights in the room and appreciate how the glow of our ancient Jewish story has endured through the ages. Darkness lasts only as long as it takes to kindle one light and then eight. In Psalm 36:10, we learn, “For with God is the Source of life; in God’s light we see light.”

On Friday night, December 8th, at 6:30pm, we’ll all gather in Wolff-Toomim Hall for a joyful and light-filled Chanukah Shabbat service and experience. Bring your own Menorah to light! We’ll fill the room with light and diminish the darkness around us and in us. At home, light candles each night with the blessings. Here’s a link to the URJ’s website and all the blessings for Chanukah!

https://www.reformjudaism.org/beliefs-practices/prayers-blessings/hanukkah-blessings

L’Shalom,