Mehr Licht!
More Light!
Number 255 - December
14, 2009
A Hebrew Blessing for Chanukah
Baruch
Atah Ado-noi-Elo- hei-nu-Melech Ha-olam Asher Ki-de-sha-nu
Be-mitz-vo-sav- Ve-tzi-vanu Le-had-lik Ner Cha-nu-kah
This
year (2009) Hanukkah,
(also spelled Chanukah,) began at sundown on December 11th and
it continues for eight days; culminating on Saturday evening
December 19th. The information I have to pass on to you about
this holiday comes directly from a booklet called "The
Chanukah Guide." It is produced and distributed by
Byerly's and Lund's Grocery Stores in Minneapolis.
"The
festival of Chanukah is about light overcoming darkness. Our
world is currently experiencing a particularly dark time. We
have even become apprehensive about opening the letters in our
mailbox. Our sons, daughters, friends and neighbors are half
way around the world, fighting an enemy that has no
borders."
"The soul of man is the lamp of
G-d' (Proverbs). Our challenge, whether we are on the front
lines or fighting rush hour at home, is to bring light into
the world. The reason the Chanukah candles are lit after
nightfall is to remind us that even in our darkest moments, we
have the potential to illuminate when we kindle a flame."
"King Solomon wrote, 'Everything has its season:
A time to be born, a time to die: A time for war and a time
for peace' (Ecclesiastes) . In Judaism peace is essential.
Yet, if one is being attacked, Jewish Law forbids a passive
stance. Peace and the sanctity of human life requires, at
times, that one defend one's self, one's family and one's
country."
"Despite the fact that the
Maccabees were
fewer in strength and in numbers, they stood up against the
oppressor with complete faith in G-d's mercy. One lesson of
Chanukah is that when we resolve to introduce spirituality
into our lives, G-d tells his children, 'Make for me a small
opening, like the eye of a needle, and I will open for you an
opening through which caravans can enter' (Midrash). We simply
need to begin the process for G-d to help us attain that which
we
perceived as unattainable. "
"On
Chanukah we celebrate two miracles: The victory of the
Maccabees over the forces of Antiochus IV in the battlefield,
and the miracle of the oil, which burned for eight days. The
victory on the battlefield was a miracle that affected us in a
very basic and real physical sense. The miracle of the oil
enabled the Jewish people to resume the service in the Holy
Temple and thus was a spiritual miracle. Jews around the world
recreate this miracle and spirituality today by observing
Chanukah."
The Chanukah struggle is found within
each of us. Chassidic teachings explain that we have two
souls. One soul is drawn to the spiritual, the other to the
material. We may reconcile this duality by being involved with
the material world, but toward a spiritual end. This is one
reason why there are so many mitzvot in the Torah, all of them
involving physical action.
When the physical is engaged
for spiritual purposes, the conflict is transformed into peace
and harmony. A world of peace begins with inner peace.
When one makes peace within, it has an effect on his or her
home, environment, and eventually the entire world."
"What
does a soul look like? Look at the flame of a candle. A flame
is bright, jumping, and never resting. The natural desire of a
soul is to 'jump up' to G-d, to break free of physical
limitations. The wick and candle anchor a flame, and a
physical body grounds the soul, forcing the soul to do its
job, to give light and warmth. The human body, precious and
holy, is likened to the Holy Temple. The Baal Shem Tov,
founder of Chassidism, always advised against
asceticism,
excessive fasting, and hurting the body.
Better, he would say, to use your body to perform deeds of
kindness."
"Kindness is contagious. When our
soul tells our body to do a kind deed, both the soul
and body are affected. Even more, other souls around us
awaken and influence their bodies to do the same. Before long
we can create an international epidemic of kindness. This is
one reason the Chanukah menorah is placed where it can be seen
from the street, either in the doorway across from the mezuza
or in the window, reminding us of our duty to share the
spiritual light of warmth and wisdom with our
surroundings.
Words to live by: It is our seemingly
small, mundane actions that convey our honor and respect for
other
