Weekly D'var Torah

So here’s the question: Is Chanukah a historical commemoration? You know, the paradigm of Jewish holidays: they tried to kill us, they failed, let’s eat.

Not according to Rabbi Tzadok of Lublin, one of the 19th century’s most creative and thoughtful Jewish writers.

Chanukah is not written in any scripture because the miracle is still happening now, he writes.

The miracle of Chanukah is still happening now? How so? Rabbi Tzadok says that the miracle is in the flame.

Not the flame that we kindle and put on our window sills- after all, as beautiful and holy as it is, it is an ordinary candle - or, if you are daring, an olive-oil flame (try it, it’s awesome). 

The miracle isn’t in the flame that we kindle- it’s in the flame that kindles us. The flame of this identity, this heritage, this unexplainable, beautiful essence that inspires us to light the Chanukah Menorah, to stand as joyful, proud and practicing Jews. We have a message to the world in that flame- a message of hope, of faith, of freedom. And that flame, the flame in every Jewish heart is what truly kindles the Chanukah Menorah.

And that flame, that flame that has persisted, that has withstood all darkness, is truly miraculous.

It’s not about the miracle that was - it’s about the miracle that is right now - the miracle that is you.

Chag Urim Sameach - A Joyful Festival of Lights!