I feel the darkness surround me. We are tired of the cruel murders; the savage shootings, the car ramming’s and barbaric stabbings. As I write, the funeral of Ezra Schwartz is coming to its final moments. I pray that by the time you read these words there will not be fresh names for us to mourn. Meanwhile, I watch Ezra’s siblings cry for a brother who watched over them, filled their home with laughter, taught them how to live and now, transmitted his final lesson that life is fragile and precious. The Jewish people grieve a spirited soul who wanted to study more Torah, grow in kindness and give back to our land.
My computer screen goes dark and I feel hot tears rush down my cheeks. A beautiful face pops up on my phone and I see the next Jewish child who has been taken. Hadar Buchris, 21, “a charming girl, radiant and friendly, her energy always managed to wake everyone up.” Stabbed to death, she too leaves this world as one whose only crime was to walk this earth as a Jew.
The deafening silence of the world astounds us.
The deafening silence of the world astounds us. Our people are being murdered and they are busy labeling Israeli food on their shelves. Why do they not shout out for the Henkins, whose innocent children witnessed their parents being slaughtered? Where are the angry calls for justice, the marches for respect of human life and dignity? How can one turn their back on Rabbi Yaakov Litman and his son Netanel who were driving to celebrate the Shabbat of their daughter’s groom? Now, they too are tragically gone. Can it be that a father and son are brutishly murdered in front of their family and leaders of the world remain voiceless? How has humanity gone mute?
Too many have been lost. The ink is barely dry and then another name appears. Fathers and mothers who will never again kiss their children good night. Young girls and boys who will never walk to their chuppah and stand under its canopy in love. Grandparents who will never cradle babies they have dreamed of; their lullabies remain unsung.
Darkness & Forgetting
And as the days fade I am afraid of us forgetting. We are obligated to see what is happening around us and recall each individual tragedy. Every person who has gone has a story to tell. Each is a world that has been snuffed out, snatched from the arms of loved ones. As long as we remember each face, each name, each soul, we deny those who wish to extinguish their light.
The Hebrew word for ‘forget’(shachach) contains the same letters as the word for ‘darkness’(choshech). Because it is when we forget that we sit in darkness. The opposite of darkness is light which helps us see and remember. This is the message of the menorah – that to cast away the darkness we must hold on to our sacred memory and not lose the light of legacy. We are asked to take the time, gaze into the menorah’s fire and relive its timeless message.
The light of Hanukkah is coming. These holy lights remind us of our story, the miracle of the Jewish nation. We recall how the Greeks tried to destroy our people, outlaw the study of Torah, and impose their beliefs upon the land of Israel. They wanted us to abandon our faith. They caused great anguish and oppressed us with their harsh decrees. Many felt hopeless. They are so many and we are so few. What will be?
The Greeks entered our holy Temple and defiled all the oil used for lighting the Menorah. Outraged by the desecration and torment, a group banded together to restore Israel’s glory. Led by Judah, son of Matisyahu from the family of Chashmonaim, five bold brothers called out to the nation. Emblazoned on Judah’s flag was Maccabee – an acronym for ‘Mi Camocha Ba’eilim Hashem’, words taken from our holy Torah recognizing the awesomeness of God. More than just a physical battle, this became a spiritual contest. Drawing upon their courage a great miracle occurred and the darkness was repelled. Our people, though smaller in number, endured.
When the Jews entered the sanctuary they saw incredible destruction. They decided to rebuild, repair and rededicate. Realizing that there was an inadequate amount of pure olive oil to light the menorah beyond just one day, the Chashmonaim would not surrender to despair. The Menorah was lit. The small flask of undefiled oil remained burning for eight days. And through its light we once again tapped in to the miraculous journey of our people.
Maccabees Today
Our journey continues until today. When the world believes that they have broken our spirit, that there is not sufficient oil to kindle our inner light, we find that hidden spark and reignite the fire within. Wherever we may be in the world we place our menorahs facing the window to openly proclaim the miracle of our nation. The love between Israel and God will not be lost.
Each of us has the ability to kindle a light, to become a Maccabee.
Now is not a time to give in to despair. The Maccabees endowed us with the courage to stand up for our people. We cannot give up; we cannot give in to the madness that surrounds us. Just as the Maccabees courageously rebuilt and rededicated, so too must we take their timeless lessons to heart. Especially when we feel overwhelmed with the destruction that surrounds us.
Each of us has the ability to kindle a light, to become a Maccabee. A little bit of light pushes away the darkness. Too many despair and give up when feeling as if there is overwhelming devastation. We wonder what we can possibly do. Hanukkah becomes our opportunity to rededicate. We search for our personal flask of oil, discover our inner spark and illuminate the world around us. For some it is a rededication to Torah study revealing the power of faith. This holiday is a celebration for families. Parents can use this time to inspire children to find joy in their Judaism.
Our college youth should be encouraged to discover more about our glorious heritage and beautiful rituals. Faced with growing anti-Semitism, knowledge empowers them to stand proud as Jews and be passionate for our people. For others, we draw upon our courage and extend ourselves by taking a step toward rebuilding a marriage, repairing a frayed relationship or friendship. This too requires bravery and strengthens our nation with unity. We cannot afford to be splintered.
The miracle begins when we decide, like the Maccabees, to cast aside the emotions of discouragement and search for our ability to create light. Even if that light seems small, remember that just a single spark can ignite a fire. Never give up. We will endure.
(8) John Hughes, December 1, 2015 8:56 PM
Hi Slovie! Sad but enlightening story . It seems the world is full of murder, torture, brutality and countless other acts . So uncomprehensible that a person cannot be who they want or are meant to be . Prayers need to be heard and reinforced . It's not only about religion . There is so much hatred in this world and people MUST band together and let voices be heard above politics and more about a persons civil liberties to be able to walk the face of this Earth.
(7) Rafael, December 1, 2015 3:05 PM
The silence / the death of Jews -Is Hashem uniting nations against Israel
I also wrestle with Hashem even though my name is Rafael . We are taught that Hashem deals with us in blessings and punishments and yet what seems like punishments will never be conceived as G-d's disenchantment with Israel .
The final destruction of the temple by the Romans ( symbol was the eagle) and banning from the holy land was conceived as a punishment retroactively . Is it possible for Israel to foresee punishment or must we concede this only after failure .
Moses forsaw the Eagle descending on Israel and destroying it . We see this as a prediction of Rome's attack on Judea . It was not Israel at the time it was Judea . Today the Eagle is the USA and Israel is in fact Israel . The silence of the world has infested the USA and recent events have stressed the relationship between our countries . A withdrawal of aid to Israel and severed
relations with the U.S. can bring about the same disasterous results as the Romans crushing Judea and sending Jews to exile . Should we look at the isolation and silence as God using other nations to punish Israel ? We are taught that the actions of nations for and against Israel are orchestrated by Hashem . When should we see Biblical metaphors and when are we just driving ourselves crazy?
(6) Sunny Maidel, December 1, 2015 1:58 AM
Fantastic emes meod meod! THANX!!
Chanukah samayach!
(5) Anonymous, November 30, 2015 3:22 PM
The World
bS"D
The World is silent. Let us STOP asking why and trying to change their minds (hearts). Let us just FOCUS on being WHO we are and will always be. In whatever way this light manifests. We are The Jewish people, G-D's children. Amen v'Amen!
(4) Consuelo Deleon-Baca, November 30, 2015 9:09 AM
AMEIN V'AMEIN!
Sometimes we feel even among millions of people that we're alone but instilled in us against all odds is to rekindle the fire within and shine our light before all. We don't become inbittered but pray for those who hate and destroy what they don't understand and who they kill because they have no love for Hashem or humanity in them, because they have only been taught hate instead of Torah. He promised "I will never leave you nor forsake you" so in these dark days we hold to Him and His word keeping our oil lamp within filled
(3) Bart, November 30, 2015 5:43 AM
Tremendous writing
What a tremendous article. Ower to the jews and the new macabbes comes for inspirational tripe like what is provided by aish and its amazing writers. Long live the jews !!! The whole world is just s vessel for us jews to rule over. Long live the jews !!!
(2) Anonymous, November 29, 2015 9:07 PM
Please keep your light shining
I am a non Jew with nothing but admiration for the Jewish determination and faith to show the world your courage and love of Hashem. I grieve with you the deaths that have occurred and pray that the killing will end and wisdom and love prevail over all the world.
(1) Devorah, November 29, 2015 7:06 PM
Arab terror
My deepest condolences to the victims and the families of victims. When will the National Conscience of Israel prepare to fight back with self defense training? Happy Channuka to all. We need to commit ourselves to a solution. I knew Arabs that first appeared, led by Arafat, had a terrible plan but no one listened. Devote yourselves to self defense and practice with your families. Have both a strategy and a plan. Shalom.