I always find it amusing that there are those who insist on referring to Chanukah as a “minor Jewish holiday.” Of course, they’re not wrong - it is a post biblical holiday after all. However, the need to emphasize it always strikes me as strange. It’s true that if we were to compare Chanukah and Passover, Passover is more significant. But today is not Passover, it is Chanukah. So today, Chanukah is more important than Passover.
Chanukah has so much relevance, especially today when the world seems so dark. You may know that I was born and grew up in Australia; this weeks news with the terror attack in Sydney is especially unsettling. The need for more light is all the more underscored when we look around the world at what is happening in Pakistan, Syria and other places.
Most people recognize the need to be a guide and a light for their immediate family, perhaps for their coworkers too. Chanukah teaches us that we must also illuminate the outside; those who are distant from us and from light. And it’s not enough to illuminate and be satisfied with our accomplishment so far, we must grow and continue to add in our illumination and it’s reach.
The name of the holiday, Chanukah, is derived from the word Chinuch, which means inauguration; Chanukah commemorates the reinauguration of the Holy Temple after its defilement by the Syrian-Greeks. The same word, Chinuch, is the Hebrew term for education. Chanukah is about initiating and educating our family in the ways of Torah and holiness.
There is so much significance connected to Chanukah, much more than latkes and dreidels. Let us spend the next few days, the second half of Chanukah, applying these messsages in our day to day life.
Please note: Tonight is the fourth night of Chanukah, the Chanukah candles need to be lit prior to the Shabbat candles at 4:28pm. Click here to learn more about Chanukah candle lighting tonight and every night of Chanukah. Please reply to this email if you still need a Menorah and/or candles.
Chanukah Wonderland was an amazing success - thanks to all our volunteers! Click here to read more and here for a first selection of pictures.