Shining Chanukah Lights

Dear Friends,

This year Chanukah begins on Wednesday evening Dec 25. Let our prayers join with the prayers of people through out the world. Let us raise up Chanukah’s call of resilience, hope and courage.

The Chanukah story tells us that the Temple lay in ruins. Devastation was everywhere and still people gathered together and searched for ways to rekindle the light. Amid the rubble, a tiny drop of oil was found. Not knowing if their actions could make any difference, the people lit the oil -- and it burned brighter and longer than anyone thought possible.

         Chanukah encourages us to search for and lift up light, even when so much lies in ruin.

         Chanukah calls on us to cultivate active hope, the willingness to act in times of great turmoil and be nourished by each other’s devotion and care.

         Chanukah calls us to remember that just because we cannot see how healing could come to our tumultuous and frightened world, this does not mean it won’t happen. Chanukah calls us beyond what we think we know to a place where the miraculous is possible.

The mystics teach that the flames we kindle on Chanukah shine from the beginnings of creation. These lights reach toward us with love, revealing ruach elohim, the Divine Spirit in all.

May the Chanukah flames nourish our hearts and souls.
May they encourage joy and possibility.
And may these lights, shining from the source of mystery,
Illuminate pathways of healing, justice and peace.

Love to all,
Rabbi Yael