Rabbi's Message

Jewish tradition relates that when the Maccabees entered the damaged and desecrated Temple in Jerusalem around 165 BCE, they looked to see if any oil remained sealed by the high priest with which they could light the Temple Menorah. They found one cruse of oil that was enough for one day. But, miraculously, the small amount of oil burned for eight days, which was long enough for the priest to prepare more and keep the light continuous.

This is the story of the miracle of Hanukkah—the miracle of the eight days. But wait, if they found enough oil for one day, what was miraculous about the first day? That light burned as expected. Should Hanukkah actually be a seven-day celebration of the seven-day miracle?

Rabbi Joseph Karo famously asked this question in the 16th century. Several commentators since have suggested that the miracle of the first day was that the high priest lit the oil lamp. He could easily have said that it was not worth trying since there would never be enough oil to last until they could prepare more oil. 

The miracle of the first day of Hanukkahis the existence of hope within the Jewish soul.  Hope to light a candle without any promise that it will remain lit tomorrow. The story of Hanukkah is about miracles, perseverance, and light, but perhaps more than anything, it is a lesson in hope.  Hanukkah teaches that hope is not passive. It is not something that just makes us feel better as we sit and wait for something to happen. Hope doesn’t replace action. It enables action.

Miracles exist. However, they are only possible if we are willing to take the first tiny step. Acting in hope and faith is something all of us can do. That is why the first day of Hanukkah, the day the oil was already there, may well be the most important day of the holiday. 

As you light your hanukkiyah, I want to invite you to think about hope.  What and who gives you hope? Where does hope reside within you?  How can you be a source of hope for others?  And how will your hope lead to action? 

To help you reflect on hope this Hanukkah, I also want to invite you to watch this new music video entitled “Tomorrow Reimagined,” featuring Broadway star Julie Benko and Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue.  The music overlays the song “Tomorrow” (which is about hope in a better tomorrow) with the traditional blessings we recite each night as we light the hanukkiyah.  The second blessing we recite, thanks God for the miracles of old and the miracles of today. 

May the miracles of today be the hope that we have in our hearts and the actions it inspires.

Happy Hanukkah!