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

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

Jews all over the world are now celebrating Chanukah, a true 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.

The holiday is commemorated by lighting oil or candles on a Menorah.  This is done for eight nights, The first night one light is lit.  Each night one more light is added, thereby increasingly bringing more light to vanquish the darkness.  How exciting is it, that when the fifth light of the eight is lit, there is now more light than darkness.  A reminder for us to continually and increasingly bring more of our light to all.     

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

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, ……..  Just like the olive, it is in those moments that you may find your essence and with it bring your light to the world.

Happy Chanukah

Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Healthy Be Thankful

*Another updated “Oldie But Goodie”