Shalom Beth Am Family, There is a wonderful tradition that Jews are not only commanded to light the Chanukah menorah, but they are supposed to display it in the window for the world to see. It is not enough to feel the glow and warmth of these holid
Shalom Beth Am Family,
There is a wonderful tradition that Jews are not only commanded to light the Chanukah menorah, but they are supposed to display it in the window for the world to see. It is not enough to feel the glow and warmth of these holiday lights in our homes, but we are supposed to share their joy with others.
This year, many of my colleagues and I have found this message extremely important in light of the difficulties that exist in the world and especially for the Jewish people. Because of the divisiveness and the anti-Semitism, we should show our lights because there are some that wish to extinguish our flame. We all need the glow of these flames.
Therefore, at the dawn of this holiday, I am asking you to proudly display your menorah in your window. Maybe you will do it to say to your neighbors and the world, “We are a Jewish family and we are proud.” Maybe you will do it to say, “This world is dark and could use some of our family’s light.” Or maybe you will do it to declare, “We are not a family that lets the shadow of hatred and anti-Semitism in our community darken our home!” Regardless of your reason, I ask you to light and display your candles proudly this year, sharing a little bit of the hope of this joyous holiday with this world.
