Chanukah Thoughts

From the Jewish Prayerbook

The lights of Chanukah are a symbol of our joy. In time of darkness, our ancestors had the courage to struggle for freedom: freedom to be themselves, freedom to worship in their own way. Theirs was a victory of the weak over the strong, the few over the many, and the righteous over the arrogant. it was a victory for all ages and for all peoples.

“Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.
Blessed is the flame that burns iin the heart’s secret places.
Blessed is the heart with strength to stop its beeating for honor’s sake,
Blessed is the match consumed in kindling flame.

Let the lights we kindle shine forth for the world. May they illumine our lives even as they fill us with gratitude that our faith has been saved from extinction time and again.”

During these eight days of Chanukah these lights are sacred; we are not to use them but only to behold them, so that their glow may rouse us to give thanks for Your wondrous acts of deliverance.

Diane Fausel