Forty-four candles light the way
Chanukah 2020
IN THE DARKEST TIME of the year, and one of the darkest times in our country, I search for images of light and stories to kindle hope. Chanukah is a Hebrew word meaning rededication. Over 2,000 years ago many urban Jews living in Judea were drawn by the allure of Hellenistic Greek culture, technology and power, but the majority were independent farmers, shepherds and artisans trying to eke out a living.
On the sabbath and other holidays they traveled to Jerusalem to make offerings from their harvest and to pray in the temple. When King Antiochus IV came to power, he placed idols on the temple altar, ordered Jews to change their names, wear Greek clothes and practice a religion that included the worship of many gods. Some obeyed these orders of assimilation. Others resisted.
A country priest and his five sons put out a call to arms to Jews. Outnumbered and outarmed, this committed band of warriors, known as the Maccabees, started one of the first successful national liberation struggle in recorded history. Unwavering belief in their cause carried them to victory. Jewish history judges the Maccabees to be heroes, freedom fighters and upholders of the faith. But others might consider them terrorists, extremists, revolutionaries or idealists. They turned the existing order on its head.
This year I am in sore need of a revolutionary act to rekindle hope against an evermore threatening status quo.
When the temple in Jerusalem was recaptured in 165 BCE it needed to be cleansed, restored and rededicated. The people wanted to relight the menorah but found only a small vial of oil, enough to burn for day, but the oil lasted for eight days.
To commemorate this miracle, one candle is lit on the first night of Chanukah, two candles on the second night, then three, four, five, six, seven, until the last night when the flames of eight candles touch as one. Each candle is lit by the shamash, a candle representing the light in the world that will never go out. When the Festival of Lights is over, I will have burned 44 candles!
But the greater miracle was that a critical mass of people transformed their world against all odds. The power of the people fueled by faith proved greater than the strongest military. According to legend, when the GrecoSyrians were defeated the Maccabees melted their enemy’s spears (tools of
war) to make new oil-holders (symbols of peace). I hold onto this vision.
Because of the pandemic there will be no gathering with friends around the glorious bonfires at the Taos Pueblo on Christmas Eve, an event that has become a decades-old tradition in my family. The ancients remind us that winter solstice on Dec. 21, the longest night of the year, celebrates the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere. Genesis, the first book in the Bible teaches us that in the beginning there was only darkness. And then a Divine order proclaimed, “Let there be light!”
I will light my first Chanukah candle on the eve of Dec. 10. My menorah is unique. I have never seen another like it. The candles seem to float over a Hamsa, a hand with three extended fingers and two curved thumbs. This ancient symbol of protection is revered by Jews, Muslims and Christians
throughout the Middle East. My Hamsa menorah was a gift from a Palestinian who reached out his hand in friendship. Around my neck on a silver chain, hangs a silver Hamsa under a silver heaven. Engraved with the word peace in English, Hebrew and Arabic, it is my amulet for inclusion.
In remembrance of the miracle of the oil, Chanukah is a time to eat greasy food, like deep fried potato pancakes. When I skin my knuckles grating potatoes and onions to make the latkes, a drop of blood will mix with tears reminding me that the sweetest things in life often come from blood, sweat and tears.
This year of acute trauma on a global scale, we must rededicate our lives to justice for all humans and the will to deal with climate apocalypse. Our children and grandchildren are counting on us. Without a doubt, this pandemic has taught us that we are all connected.
Each candle is lit by the shamesh, a candle representing the light in the world that will never go out.