Light Will Vanquish The Darkness

Tonight begins the celebration of one of the most joyous Jewish holidays Chanukah.  Chanukah is celebrated as one of the defining moments when Jews were victorious against another effort to eliminate them.  We celebrate as we remember a great victory of light over darkness.  We celebrate this year in the midst of much darkness.  The darkness/evil of Hamas and all the Jew Hatred expressed.

Deja Vu All Over Again  

The Cliff Notes Version Of The Chanukah Story

Chanukah, is a true celebration of many miracles.  Around twenty-two hundred years ago, Judea, now called Israel*, was overtaken and ruled by the Syrian-Greek Empire who forbid Jewish practice so that Judaism would disappear.  There was the miracle of the victory of a small band of men, known as the Maccabees, fighting for the religious freedom of the Jewish people against a very large and well equipped army.  Then one days worth of olive oil used to light the Candelabra/Menorah for rededicating the rampaged and desecrated Temple, which then miraculously lasted for eight days.  The miracle of the military victory and of the oil burning for eight days represents light overcoming darkness, both literally and figuratively.

The Chanukah message of light vanquishing the darkness is so very relevant now and a needed reminder.  It is now so important for Jews and Non-Jews to push back the darkness/evil with extra doses of enduring light/goodness.  The goal of the darkness is to eliminate the light.  We must not and will not let that happen.

“In dark times, there are those who curse the darkness and others who light a candle.” – Rabbi Jonathan Sacks 

Remembering the victory of the Chanukah story also gives us hope that we will be victorious again.  Hope and Faith that light, good, love, will triumph over darkness, evil, hate, terrorism, and bring peace to all    

“A little light will dispel much darkness.” — Rabbi Schneur Zalman

Here is one of my favorite lessons of Chanukah that apply to all

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 all to continually and increasingly bring more of your light to all.  How much more exciting it will be this year.  

Happy Chanukah

Be Good Do Good Think Good Be Grateful Be A Light 

*Around twenty-two hundred years ago, wait, what the Jewish people were in the land then called Judea, now Israel, over two thousand years ago and longer?  That’s not something I would learn if I was in College today*

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