Rabbi Yaakov Raskin | Hanukkah: A time to bring more light into a world that needs it

This year, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah – also known as the festival of lights – has more significance than ever before. Beginning on Thursday, December 7 and running through December 15, the eight-day holiday commemorates the victory of the ancient Israelites over the Assyrian army, who conquered and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem, and attempted to compel the Jews to abandon their monotheistic faith and embrace the Greek polytheistic beliefs.

A small band of Jews known as the Maccabees revolted, miraculously defeating the Assyrian armies and regaining their freedom to worship G-d according to the ways outlined in the Bible.

The Hebrew word Hanukkah literally means ‘dedication’, referring to the Temple’s rededication once it was reclaimed.

When the Maccabees entered the reclaimed Temple and sought to light the seven-branched candelabra known as the menorah – one of the key daily temple services – they found only one small jug of pure olive oil; the rest had been defiled by the enemy. While that oil was only enough for one day, it miraculously lasted for eight days – until more pure oil could be brought.

A SYMBOL OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE AS A WHOLE

To commemorate these miracles, Jewish sages instituted the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Each night, we light one more candle in a nine-branched menorah. We light it with the ninth candle, the “helper” candle, which reminds us of our obligation to bring light to others.

The menorah – both the seven-branched Temple menorah and the nine-branched Hanukkah menorah – has become a symbol not only of Hanukkah, but of the Jewish people as a whole. You can see the menorah in Chabad of Jamaica’s logo today, and you can see the menorah stamped on ancient coins that are found in archaeological digs in the Land of Israel.

It doesn’t just represent a holiday, or even a people – but an ideal. The ideal of faith in G-d, of freedom of religion, and of the ultimate victory of light over darkness.

In recognition of the central symbolism of the menorah, the State of Israel’s seal is a Menorah flanked by two olive branches. That seal hearkens back to the biblical prophet Zechariah. As described in Chapter 4 of the Book of Zechariah, the prophet is given a vision of a golden menorah flanked by two olive trees, which are pouring oil into it. Zechariah asked the angel what this vision meant and the answer is one that echoes today, thousands of years later: “Not by military might and not by physical strength, but by My spirit” will the land of Israel and the Jewish people be restored.

In more than one place in the book of Genesis, G-d promises the Land of Israel to Abraham. This promise is reiterated to his son Isaac, and grandson Jacob, the progenitor of the Jewish people. It remains in effect until this very day, and Israel remains the eternal inheritance of the Jews. Two thousand years ago, the Jewish people faced an enemy determined not to allow them to live a Jewish lifestyle in our homeland. Today, we once again face such an enemy, and once again we will prevail.

As Rabbi Y.Y. Jacobson put it, “What Hamas and its supporters targeted was not just a piece of land, but an entire people. We have once again been confronted by the force of evil and diabolical hatred that craves to destroy G-d’s eternal people… While we do not look for wars, we are a nation which loves peace, searches for peace, and respects and loves all people. If someone attacks us, we ought to respond with all our might.”

Just as the Maccabees of old, we will defend our faith and our ancestral homeland against those who hate us. And just as the Maccabees of old, we will rededicate ourselves to the ideals of faith in G-d, of freedom of religion, of being ambassadors of light to those around us.

EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING THEY CAN SHARE

Hanukkah reminds us that our focus must be to constantly increase in light. If yesterday, one candle was enough, today we must light two. If you did one good deed yesterday, do two today. Everyone has something they can share with those around them, some way they can be the “helper candle” to bring light to others. It may be time you can give to help others, expertise you have with which you can advise people, or money you can donate to a worthy cause.

We will soon mark 10 years since the founding of Chabad on the island of Jamaica. Jamaicans have warmly embraced us as a part of the Jewish community – which has more than 400 years of history in the country. They are G-d-fearing and knowledgeable, passionate about their faith and committed to living a moral and upstanding life. This is truly a community of people who share our commitment to bringing light to those around us.

This Hanukkah season, I invite you to spread the light. Visit Chabad of Montego Bay and take an ARK – a small yellow charity box – and place a coin in it each day. When it’s full, give it to a person who could use some charity or to a worthy cause.

If you’re Jewish, light the menorah; show your Jewish pride; if you’re not Jewish consider keeping the Universal Laws of Morality.

We are confronted with a world in which the forces of darkness have reared their ugly heads. Each and every one of us can – and must – respond with light.

Rabbi Yaakov Raskin is Jamaica’s only Rabbi and directs the Chabad in Jamaica with his wife Chaya Mushka. To learn more, please visit https://www.jewishjamaica.com. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com