Dear Beth El Family,
Hanukkah, our cherished festival of lights, begins tonight. Soon we’ll snuggle with our loved ones, pulling them close to us in a warm embrace, as we light our first Hanukkah candle and recite three different, yet equally poignant blessings. The first blessing acknowledges God’s command to kindle lights. As each night grows longer, leaving us with less and less precious light, our tradition encourages us to fill the dark void. We counter the darkness of each passing night by adding a new flame adjacent to the previous one. Thus, we are able to find spiritual meaning in the majestic dance of flickering candles. We cherish the warmth of the candles bouncing softly off of our cheeks, as the heat slowly chips away at the coldness of winter. It is our nod of appreciation to the creator for leaving behind a holy spark in each one of us.
The second blessing reminds us that miracles are possible when we recall what God did for our ancestors long ago; how a small cohort of passionate Jews overcame impossible odds and reclaimed autonomy over their own religious destiny. We remember how they lit the great Menorah, in their first act of independence, sending the message that light will conquer darkness. And tonight, as we watch the first sparks of fire grow into an illuminated flame, we too will carry with us the hope that the light of our candles can in some way reflect the light we wish to bring into the world around us. What a miracle it is that the faintest light can overpower all-consuming darkness. Perhaps, this is one of God’s many clever gifts to humanity.
And finally we recite the third blessing, which is reserved only for the first night. It is the blessing most familiar to us- the shehecheyanu. Is there anything more beautiful in our tradition than marking each festive occasion with an expression of gratitude for reaching the present moment? As many of us know all too well, this is something we can easily take for granted. After all, life is merely a series of moments but it’s up to us to notice them.
It is my wish for each of us this week that our homes are filled with light, that we can see the miracles that surround us, and that we may find it within ourselves to be fully present in each moment. Happy Hanukkah.
L’Shalom,
Rabbi Zachary Sitkin
Please join us for our communal candle lighting celebration on Thursday,
December 6 at 5:00 p.m. We will meet together in the lobby and walk outside to light our giant hanukkiyah on the lawn facing North Ave.
