So everything around us is really black? A joke tells of two Jews walking through a dark tunnel when suddenly they see a small light at the end. The optimist starts dancing and declares, "Here is the light at the end of the tunnel," but his friend, who has become so accustomed to the depression of darkness, declares, "It must be the train that came to run us over, may God forbid."
We, too, today, unfortunately live in times of darkness. And not only the IDF soldiers, today's heroes, who march through the terror tunnels of Gaza, but the entire society that has gone through a deep crisis. At the same time, there is something unusual about darkness. What just a moment ago seemed so threatening and frightening, dissipates in a single moment of turning on the light. The darkness itself is not real – it is only threatening, and that is the message of Hanukkah.
Eight days full of Light lie ahead, symbolizing more than anything else the most important message to our reality. A message of "Let go. Some things don't make sense, not every problem has a logical solution, but still, God can solve them." Because if the few defeated the many, if a small oil urn survived eight days, if a handful of Maccabees defeated a huge army of superpower, then we can really win and witness the return of all the hostages, the health of the wounded, the protection of our soldiers, and peace of mind and livelihood for so many people who need them more than ever. For miracles.
Menorah on the windowsill in the heart of the Gaza Strip, photo: IDF Spokesperson
Hanukkah 2023 in the Gaza Strip, Photo: IDF Spokesperson
Unlike the original Temple lamp, which was lit inside the hall and during the day, our Chanukah candles are lit near the entrance to the house and after the sun has set, when it gets dark all around. And this is no coincidence: we live today in an age of constant struggle between light and darkness. Between the good and the bad. In such cases, it is necessary to add to the light and turn it outward.
But not only that. The Lubavitcher Rebbe, whose emissaries illuminate – and not only on Chanukah – the darkest places, emphasized that the menorah presents a unique model: it shows us that both when we do good and when we illuminate the world, we must not be satisfied today with what you did yesterday, but tomorrow we must add again. Add another candle of light every day.
Ukrainian President Zelensky lights a Hanukkah candle, Photo: AP
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Rabbi Teichtal at the lighting ceremony in Germany, (Thursday), Photo: Getty Images
In recent years, thanks to the Rebbe's vision, thousands of Chabad emissaries in Israel and around the world have taken to the streets and made sure to illuminate the darkness. Even in the darkest places, physically or mentally. Whether it's a soldier guarding a post in Beit Hanoun, a family of terror victims, or a woman hospitalized in a medical center who is worried about the diagnosis - trust the Chabad emissaries who will come and make sure to illuminate Chanukah for you.
For eight days we will light the menorah and remember: No matter how dark, the light will always prevail.
Rabbi Moni Ender is the Director of the Chabad Spokesperson's Division. Chabad emissaries and the youth of the Chabad Association in Israel hold thousands of events for the general public during Hanukkah, and raise the light with thousands of giant menorahs throughout the country
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