Shine On, Chanukah

No politics or economics or social activism this time, just joyous wishes for a Happy Chanukah on the first night.   It doesn’t matter if you’re not Jewish; good wishes and good will are not bound by religion or nationality. Or they shouldn’t be. In previous years, it’s been my tradition to post a song for each of the eight nights of Chanukah, but first, just a little about the holiday.

It’s ancient, dating back to the second century BC and Chanukah is one of the “They tried to kill us, but we survived” holidays. The very short version, the one that would curl your bible teacher’s hair, is that the Greeks were massacring the Jews and defiling the temple but the Jews triumphed, survived annihilation and rededicated the Temple. Oil was needed in the Temple for the candelabra, and while there was only enough for one day, it lasted for eight.

The holiday of Chanukah commemorates the miracle of lights, of the oil, which lasted for eight days, not victory in battle; Jews don’t glorify or celebrate war, or we’re not supposed to.  To commemorate this miracle, we light a candle each night for eight nights. If you want the longer version or to know more, or need to know the blessings when you light the menorah, you can go here.

I love being part of a tradition that stretches back over many centuries, love that sense of a direct link to a celebration of the human spirit. Also, I like gelt and latkes.

Chanukah celebrates a miracle; specifically a miracle of light which increases each night with an additional candle. It’s not, I think, a coincidence that cultures and religions around this hemisphere all have December celebrations that coincide with the days becoming longer in the third week of December, a fact that enhances, rather than diminishes the holiness of holidays during this time.

But I promised you a song. I’m a big fan of the outstanding a cappella group, The Maccabeats. Up until now, they’ve released songs for the Jewish holidays based on popular material, but for the first time they’ve written something original for Chanukah, Shine. If you enjoy it, please do share it.

Miracles don’t have to be big. You don’t have to part a body of water or provide food for a crowd. You can give to the charity of your choice, donate a day of your time to the service of your community, bring a bag of kibble to your local animal shelter, or a plate of hot food to an elderly neighbor. Even if these are small gestures, they’re still little miracles for someone.

Whatever your faith, shine bright this Chanukah.  Make your own miracles. For the next eight days. For each day, all year.