As the sun sets this evening, Jews around the world will light the first candle for Chanukah.
I write this note to our Temple Emanu-El community, knowing that these days are brutally hard for us as Jews.
Our tradition asks us to place our lit menorahs in the front windows of our homes, as a matter of Jewish identity, faith, and pride. But the Talmud acknowledges that in times when it is dangerous to do so, we are permitted to place our menorahs elsewhere in the house; however, we are still commanded to light them. In the Anderson home, our menorah will be placed in our front window to be seen, but I do understand that each one of you will make the choice that is best for you at this time.
The role of the rabbi is to speak the truth, but also to put our situation in the grand landscape of Jewish history. Our faith tradition and our history have taught us we will get through these times of unrest through the strength that we find through one another, as well as the promise of better days to come.
At our Shabbat services tomorrow night (early, 6:30p), we will have tons of kids and young families celebrating our festival of light; one that celebrates the military victory of the Maccabees in the land of Israel from two thousand years ago.
In lighting Chanukah candles, we will recall the miracle, not only of oil that was stretched beyond its intent but of the Jewish people’s resolve. Tapping into our religious tradition, and one another, we are capable of so much more than we can even imagine. Our resolve is legendary. Almost mythic. Especially in the face of adversity.
Our short Shabbat service will include prayers, and a Chanukah sing-along, bringing an element of joy to our lives, Jewish joy, despite the abundance of Jewish grief that is in the world around us. The messages from our Chanukah prayers and songs will focus on lighting one light, and then another…and another…to drive away the dark despair and to illuminate a path forward into the future.
From the Sanctuary bimah, we will light a special menorah, purchased for TE by congregants on a trip to Israel two summers ago. It was made by an artist at a kibbutz on the Gaza border, and its metal comes from Hamas rockets that had been fired into Israel with the intent to destroy. But we Jews have changed this proverbial ‘sword’ into a ‘plowshare’ of religious meaning and hope. The irony of a weapon of destruction, meant to kill, being transformed into a tremendous spiritual symbol is lost on no one. It is heavy. Not just with weight, but with the significance of the holiday, the light that it brings against the dark, and into the lives of the Jewish people who insist that, now more than ever, we kindle its flames.
At shiva minyan last night, a few adult congregants, who have children long grown, told me that they are definitely coming to Shabbat services this Friday night. I reminded them that there will be lots of kids and it is geared towards Chanukah. “Exactly,” they said. “It sounds fun. And we need a dose of Jewish fun in our lives right now.” I couldn’t agree more.
The menorah is the official symbol of Temple Emanu-El. We are a community that remembers. We are a spiritual home for those who want to be reminded that we have the miracle of resolve in our DNA. The symbol of the menorah reminds us that Temple Emanu-El is a place for learning, connecting, and acting, to fix this damaged world, even if it is lighting one small candle at a time.
Shabbat shalom, Happy Chanukah
Am Yisrael Chai
Rabbi Spike
