+ Reflections on Hanukah

Reflections on Hanukah
Rabbi Darcie Crystal

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, brings much brightness and celebration to some of the darkest days of the year.  Two rabbis of the Talmud, Hillel and Shammai, had a dispute about just how to light the Hanukkah menorah.  While Shammai argued that we should begin by lighting all eight candles on the first night, and light one less on each subsequent night, Hillel argued that we should begin with one candle and add an additional one each night.  As you already know, Hillel’s opinion was adopted as tradition, and as our joy grows during the eight nights of Hanukkah, the light our Hanukkah lamp gets brighter and brighter.  The reason for his argument, says the Talmud, is that “in matters of holiness, we must increase, and not diminish!”

As we kindle the physical flames on each night of Hanukkah, a tradition that brings us a feeling of warmth and joy, think too of other, more conceptual, ways that you and your family can bring light into the world.  Visit a homebound family member with a basket of goodies; give the toys your children receive one night to an organization that distributes toys to less fortunate children; make and share potato latkes with a neighbor; give tzedakah to continue the much needed relief work in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.  There are so many ways that we can increase the light and the holiness during Hanukkah and every day.  We look forward to hearing about the light you create in the world!  Happy Hanukkah!