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Shiurim & Adult Education
THOUGHTS ON CHANUKAH BY RABBI WILKINSON
In the shadow of Chanukah’s light, we cannot ignore the darkness of what happened on Sunday in Sydney, Australia. We were all shaken by an appalling act of hatred which took place during a menorah lighting, and as we know Jews were killed. Even when events happen far away, the pain belongs to all of us because we are one people.
As we look around the world, we cannot avoid the news of an ever-deepening political divide throughout the world, never-ending conflict in Israel, in-fighting among our fellow Jews in the Holy Land and growing antisemitism on both the left and right. It is all too easy to look around us and feel hopeless.
In recent weeks we have also been hearing the stories of some of the hostages who were released. One comment really struck me: Segev Kalfon speaking in the USA described the horrific ordeals he overcame and specifically, the lack of clean water, devoid of dirt and bugs and even worms, severely impacting his hygiene and health. He then picked up the bottle of water before him and said, “All I want to say is that I am grateful for clean water.”
If there is anyone who would be justified in having what to complain about, it was Segev, and yet he taught me how a change of perspective can fill us with gratitude.
The Gemara in Avodah Zara teaches us about the pre-history of the festival of Chanukah. During the very first winter, Adam watched as the days got shorter and shorter, the dark nights getting ever longer. He was filled with fear and despair that the waning light signified his coming death; he prayed and fasted for eight days. And then, one day, he noticed that the days suddenly started getting longer. He celebrated the winter solstice, reminding him and his offspring that “there is no room for hopelessness,” and that the dark nights, with patience and the right perspective, can transform into glorious mornings.
Many of us are familiar with the debate between Shammai and Hillel as to how we light the candles on Chanukah. Shammai suggests that we begin with eight candles and each day we remove one candle. Hillel argues that we begin with one and add an additional candle each night. Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook ztl explains that Shammai and Hillel are not arguing, they are focusing on competing phenomena. Shammai is describing what is known as yeridat hadorot, the decline in spirituality and greatness that grows with every generation. Hillel acknowledges such a decline but argues that with the decline of the great lights of every generation, there is concurrently an aliyat hadorot, an ever-increasing light that can be found among the masses.
Despite the heartbreaking news from Sydney, we are heartened by the heroic actions of Ahmed al-Ahmed in disarming one of the attackers and the outpouring of love, unity, and support from the entire Jewish world. Despite everything we have received words of encouragement from so many individuals who support the Jewish People.
Halacha follows the ruling of Hillel. During this holiday of Chanukah, as we light our Menorahs, we need to focus our attention on the increasing light around us, how the dark nights of exile will give way to the brilliant light of redemption, and how fortunate we are to receive the incredible blessings of life, like a clean glass of water.
The Lubavitcher Rebbe taught that a little light dispels a great deal of darkness, not by ignoring the pain and not by retreating, but by responding in the most Jewish way possible: by adding light.
This is the Jewish response to darkness. We do not pull back. We do not hide. We bring light.
Ruth and I wish you all Shabbat shalom, chodesh tov and chanukah sameach
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