Friends,
Chanukah begins on the longest and darkest night of the year. We commemorate one of the darkest periods in our history, when the Greeks destroyed our Temple, raped Jewish brides on their wedding night, and forbid the practice of the Jewish religion or the learning of Torah. We mark our victory over this enemy by lighting up the dark night with a candle, which not only gives light, but is capable of spreading light by lighting a thousand other candles without itself being diminished.
The second miracle of Chanukah, after our amazing victory, came about because one bottle of undesecrated oil was found in the Temple, enough to last for one day and instead lasted for eight. But we don't celebrate this holiday by pouring oil into a container and watching it burn for eight days. Instead, we light one candle. And when that burns out, we come back the next night and light two candles. And when they burn out, we come back again and light three candles..and four.and five.and six...and so on. I want to wish every one of you who is suffering, who has experienced loss or pain or heartache or illness, that this year Chanukah will bring light back into your life. I bless you that when life knocks you down, you will get up the next morning twice as strong. When it knocks you down again, get up the next morning three times as strong! I wish this for you as individuals,and for the Jewish nation as a whole, wherever our people may be. Happy Chanukah
Naomi
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