Chanukah — the eight-day festival of light that begins on the eve of the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev — “celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, of spirituality over materiality.” Chanuka begins on December 20th this year!

More than twenty-one centuries ago, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who sought to forcefully Hellenize the people of Israel. Inorder to break the spirit of the Jews, the Holy Temple was defiled.   Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and rededicated it to the service of G-d.

When they sought to light the Temple’s menorah (the seven branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks; miraculously, the one-day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could procured.

To commemorate these miracles, the festival of Chanukah was established. Chanukah literally means, re-dedicate.  At the heart of the festival is the nightly menorah (candelabrum) lighting: a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening, and so on till the eighth night of Chanukah, when all eight lights are kindled.

As our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrate Chanuka this year, let us join them in re-dedicating our selves to that which is Holy and Good in life.  Let us take this time to re-connect, re-vitalize, and re-affirm our service to one another, and to Spirit.

Happy Chanukah!

You are Precious.  You are Awesome

Rev. Dr. Kristin Hawkins