Rabbi's Blog

Shalom all,

About a week ago, I was teaching the history of Chanukah to our Bar and Bat mitzvah students. It is always amazing to me how a small band of Jews fought back against the Empire of Greece. So many of us think about and celebrate the miracle of the oil, but we must not forget the historical meaning of Chanukah. We must not forget that at the core of the Chanukah story is a true message of hope. That hope was embedded in those Maccabees so many centuries ago, because without that incredible sense of hope they never would have been able to overcome the darkness that surrounded them.

Whether we are thinking about the world or our own personal lives, Chanukah comes at a perfect time for us to reflect upon the hope that we must have. We must have hope that we can overcome whatever personal struggles we are experiencing. We must have hope that we can overcome the family struggles that are sometimes present. And we must have hope that we can overcome hatred, bigotry, and cynicism.

May the candles that you begin to light this weekend be not only symbols of your belief in miracles, but may they also be symbols of your belief in hope. As you see your children and grandchildren surrounded the menorah, may their glow shine brighter than the candles. For there is no greater symbol of hope for a better future than the brightness of the future generations. Just as the Maccabees had hope, so too, must we all have hope for a better tomorrow.

May you and your families have a happy and healthy Chanukah,

Rabbi Robert Weiner

P.S. If you would like to make one last tax-deductible donation to Temple Beth Am at the close of this year, feel free to click here. We truly appreciate your generosity.

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