Chanukah starts tonight, our annual “festival of lights.” It gets tangled up with Christmas because, well, because kids (big and little) like to get presents. Who can complain? Our holiday is completely different than Christmas, though. Several themes comprise Chanukah and, over the next eight days, I will be writing about the ones that seem most important to me.
At its root, chanukah is a celebration of the right for each of us to worship in his or her own way. Around 200 BCE, the Syrian king tried to forbid the practice of Judaism. The Jews fought back and won. This has come repeatedly to the forefront of my mind as I listen to NPR reports on the Iraq war and the American government’s reactions to 9/11.
It is awfully important that each of us respect the practice of others. I approach G-d in my way; you in yours. We share our non-religious lives and try to keep them neutral with respect to how to worship. Then when it is time to talk to G-d, we each gather with friends of like minds and have holy conversations that are completely fulfilling.
And now for something completely different. Turn up your speakers and click on the menorah.
I hope that this first day of chanukah brings you joy and appreciation for the freedom we have today.
Happy Chanukah to you too. I love the My Menorah song. Also, you must know that in addition to the military victory, the holiday symbolized the victory of Jewish scholarship, of education, of light miracles, and of the lesson that a little bit of light can spread and push out lots of darkness. Enjoy your first candle celebration tonight.