Torah Talk from November 26

This Wednesday evening begins the holiday of Chanukah, our Festival of Lights. It is not by chance that Chanukah is in the darkest time of the year. Human Beings crave light in the late fall and winter months. We witness every day at this time of year another holiday that focuses on light, that is of course Christmas. Anthropologists tell us that since the beginning of times Human Beings have wanted to light the darkness. The light from the Chanukiah is not meant to be utilitarian it is there for its significance religiously and for the beauty of having candles glow on a cold dark night.

The Rabbis discussed shall we add a candle each night or shall we remove one candle for each of the eight days. The house of Shammai wanted to remove the candles each night and the house of Hillel wanted to increase the light by adding a candle. As you can imagine the idea of always increasing our light won out and we add a candle every night.

It is customary to exhibit the Chanukiah in the window so that all who pass can see the lights burning and remember the miracle that is the Festival of Lights. The Chanukiah must have the candles displayed plainly so that those looking at the candles can discern what day of Chanukah is being celebrated. Oftentimes the candles are in a straight line and the Shammash is either higher or is to the side of the eight candles for the reason of clarity.

This year as the second day of Chanukah is Thanksgiving we have another layer to add to our Chanukah celebration that of thankfulness not only for our families, the household of Israel but also for our wonderful country that allows all Jews to celebrate their holidays in peace. This year let us offer all these thanks at our Thanksgiving table.

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