The Enduring Lessons of Chanukah
A thought for Zos Chanukah
As Chanukah comes to a close, it's natural to wonder what has become of all the light that we have absorbed over the past eight days.
The timing of Chanukah, which falls in two different months of the Jewish calendar during the time of the winter solstice, serves as a reminder that even during the darkest and coldest times of the year, we have the ability to carry the light within us. As the winter months approach and the days grow shorter, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the cold and the darkness. However, the holiday of Chanukah teaches us that no matter how difficult the circumstances may seem, we have the power to bring light and warmth into our own lives and the lives of those around us.
The central message of Chanukah is the triumph of light over darkness. The holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over their oppressors, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Beis HaMikdash, even though there was only enough for one day. These events symbolize the enduring power of light to overcome even the most difficult and challenging circumstances. During Chanukah, we are reminded to seek out and cultivate the light within ourselves, and to use it to brighten the lives of those around us, even in the darkest of times.
As Chanukah draws to a close, it's important to remember that the light and warmth that we have absorbed during the holiday don't have to disappear along with it. Instead of letting the light fade away, we can use it to kindle an enduring flame of goodness and spirituality within ourselves. By tapping into the light that we have gathered over the past eight days, we can create a beacon of hope and positivity in our own hearts and homes, even after the holiday has ended. This way, the light of Chanukah can continue to shine brightly and inspire us to live our lives with purpose and meaning, long after the holiday has passed.
Tisha B'Av, a day of mourning and reflection in the Jewish calendar, commemorates the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash in Jerusalem. This event is often described as having occurred suddenly, as if out of nowhere, reminding us of the fleeting nature of blessings and the importance of cherishing them while we have them. At times, we may find ourselves so immersed in blessings that we fail to fully appreciate their value, only to lose them unexpectedly. This can be compared to covering a light source, where the light remains present but becomes obscured from view. It is important to recognize and appreciate the blessings in our lives while we have them, rather than taking them for granted and allowing them to slip away.
Like many holidays, Chanukah may seem to pass by quickly and unexpectedly. However, the blessings and lessons that we have absorbed during the holiday do not have to disappear along with it. Instead, we can continue to carry the light of Chanukah within us, kindling it in our inner Beis HaMikdash, or personal place of holiness. By cultivating and cherishing the light that we have gathered during the holiday, we can use it to inspire goodness and spirituality in ourselves and those around us, even after the holiday has ended. In this way, the light of Chanukah can continue to burn brightly, guiding us through the darkest of times and reminding us of the enduring power of hope and positivity.
May we be worthy of experiencing the opposite of the sudden nature of the destruction of the Beis HaMikdash, when Mashiach arrives unexpectedly, bringing with him a new era of peace and prosperity. In this time, we will have the opportunity to continually bask in and appreciate the infinite light of the great menorah, kindled in the newly rebuilt Beis HaMikdash. May this light serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration, guiding us towards a brighter future filled with joy and blessings.