You Don’t Have To Be Jewish To Enjoy Latkes *

You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy Latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and you don’t have to be Jewish to gain from some of Chanukah’s lessons and miracles.

Perhaps this year, as we all continue to feel the darkness of this the pandemic, these lessons are especially important to contemplate and remember.  Doing so may be bring you a little light.

Jews all over the world are now celebrating Chanukah, the celebration of many miracles.  From the victory of a small band of men fighting for the religious freedom of the Jewish people against a very large and well equipped army.  To one days worth of olive oil used to light the Menorah (candelabra) for rededicating the Temple, which then miraculously  lasted for eight days.

Here are some of my favorite lessons that apply to all

The miracle of the victory and of the oil burning for eight days represents light overcoming darkness, both literally and figuratively.

At nighttime, Jews place their lit Menorah in doorways or windows to bring light to the dark street and to all who see it.

“A little light will dispel much darkness.” — Tzeda LaDerech

On the Menorah is a head candle called the Shamash, which is used to light all the other candles.  The Shamash lights the other candles without losing any of its own light.  Like the Shamash, each of us can bring our light to all whose lives we come into contact with. We all have that power through acts of goodness, kindness, and charity.  More than like the Shamash, not only do we keep our light when we share it, we actually shine brighter!

“From one burning candle many candles are lit, yet its own light is not diminished.” – The Sages

Here is another powerful and universal message from Chanukah, the miracle of light.

Of all the special qualities of a pretty and delicious olive, its essence is found in its oil when lit, producing light.  In order to get to the olives essence, it must first be crushed to produce the oil.

So too in our lives, we sometimes are, or feel crushed – by pain and suffering, illness, fears, loss, struggle, and disappointment – and just like the olive, it is then that our essence can be revealed.  It is in those moments that you may find your essence and with it bring your light to the world.

As we continue to feel as though we are being Covid crushed, we can come out of this having found our essence.  Each of us can then bring more of our light to the darkness and dispel it.  Not just pandemic darkness but all darkness!

Happy Chanukah

Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy

*Another updated “Oldie But Goodie”