The Power of Winter's Light - December 2019
The Power of Winter's Light – December 2019
As the inaugural Executive Director of the Konar Center for Tolerance and Jewish Studies, I was honored to be asked to give a reflection at Nazareth College’s Winter’s Light Interfaith Celebration of Peace and Hope, hosted by Naz’s Center for Spirituality.
As a campus community, we came together to celebrate peace and hope – through light. We witnessed how so many traditions incorporate light as a symbol of peace and hope. It was moving to hear reflections and witness candle lighting from a variety of traditions and on a variety of holidays, including Hindu, Advent, Islam, the Mohawk Nation, Kwanzaa and Watch Night. Nazareth College represents and honors the beautiful traditions of both faith and culture not only during the winter season, but all year round.
The Jewish tradition also makes meaning through light at this time of year through the celebration of Hanukkah – or Chanukah. The story of Hanukkah took place during the time of the Second Temple when the regime of a King named Antiochus sought to pull Jews away from their religion and heritage. The small Jewish army of that time tried to drive out this regime, and after three years, the Maccabees succeeded against all odds.
Common folklore retold each year on Chanukah, is that when the Jews re-entered their holy temple, they found only enough oil to burn for one day – but in reality, it lasted for eight days – providing much needed light at a time when they were coming out of a prolonged darkness.
These are both considered Chanukah miracles: first, that the Jews at this time were able to overcome a much stronger army in the pursuit of standing up for preserving their way of life - and second, that just a tiny bit of oil provided light and lasted for so many more days than expected.
The tradition today is to light the Menorah at Chanukah time, with a progression of more candles being lit each night. On the first night we light one candle, the second night two, and so on through the eighth night of Chanukah, when we finally light all eight.
And we place these lights in public view – in the window of our homes – for others to see their flames.
Like the vision of Naz’s Winter’s Light Interfaith Celebration, Chanukah brings a message of unity, hope and peace.
It is an underdog story, but it is also a story of perseverance – of what people can accomplish when they come together for a common purpose – it is a story of strength in resolve.
There are several themes we take away from the lights of the Chanukah story…
Never be afraid to stand up for what is right – even when you are the minority voice.
A little light goes a long way – share the light – shine your light into your surroundings – into your home and your community - with the glow of justice and peace.
Unity – nothing cannot be overcome when people of good will work together.
A great Rabbi – Rabbi Reuven Hammer – who is also my Uncle Bobby – passed away earlier this year. He once shared this wisdom on Chanukah, on light, on unity and on hope:
When there is darkness, let there be light. When there is evil, let there be good. When there is suffering and need, let us bring (God’s) light into the world through our deeds.
Light can be increased in the world, but only when we take actions to improve the world and thus fight against the darkness that threatens our treasured values.
…This light must continue to illuminate us and must never be extinguished. (For) If the light does not lead to illumination, victory is an illusion.
That is the deepest message of Chanukah.
I’m wishing for more hope and more peace for all of us this season. The light in all our faiths and traditions will illuminate most bright when our lights shine together.