Chaverim – Friends:
Another name that some use for the holiday of Hanukah is the Festival of Lights. There is a real connection to the natural world here in that this is the time of the year when there is the least amount of daylight. The days are getting shorter, yet we celebrate the light? Perhaps there is a wonderful symbolism here in that in times of darkness we sometimes have to take a step in faith to increase the light. According to the story of Hanukah told by tradition, when the people finally won in their long and painful struggle against the pagans who defiled the temple they needed to rededicate the temple to the service of God. However, there was not enough sacred oil to light the lamp and keep it burning for the eight days required for the rededication. What to do? It took an incredible act of faith to light the lamp anyway – only then could the miracle take place. The lamp did not burn out in a couple of days! It stayed lit for the entire eight days of the rededication. You might say that this is the main lesson of Hanukah. Don’t give up in times of darkness. Take a step toward what is right and keep faith.
Despite the holiday atmosphere at this time of year, these are dark times for many in the community around us who are in need. Let us take a step toward the light and help others. The Union of Reform Judaism recommends dedicating the sixth night of Hanukah which would be Sunday, December 21st to acts of Tzedakah to help others and make this a better world for all in our community.
8 Tzedakah Actions for Chanukah
from Union of Reform Judaism
Commission on Social Action
Contact a community Toys for Tots program or a local Jewish agency and find out how you can donate a holiday gift. Involve you children so that they can better understand the plight of other children in need.
Donate a can of food to a local food bank or volunteer to help out during the week of Chanukah.
Donate a gently used Judaica item to the World Union for Progressive Judaism (www.wupj.org) for a newly formed Reform synagogue in the Former Soviet Union or other country around the world.
Donate children’s books to a local hospital (www.reachoutandread.org) or donate books of all ages to a local homeless shelter.
Visit the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life’s (www.coejl.org) Hanukkah website for holiday eco tips for giving a gift to the earth through environmental stewardship. You can give a gift to your home such as an energy efficient appliance or a compact fluorescent light bulb.
Visit the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry’s (www.nacoej.org) website for donation ideas such as sponsoring a child’s lunches for the year or the RAC site for Lech Lecha to a Place of Hope—The Million Quarters Project.
Make a donation to Mazon (www.mazon.org) such as 3% of the amount you are spending for a holiday dinner.
Make a chai donation to charitable organization in the name of a family friend or loved one.
A Blessing to recite on the 6th night of Chanukah
Baruch Ata Adonai, Eloheinu Melech Haolam, Asher Kidshanu B’mitzvotav, V’limdeinu L’Hadlik Ner Shel Tzedakah
Blessed are You, Eternal, our God, who makes us holy through the performance of Mitzvot, and inspires us to light the Candle of Righteousness.
As we light this “Ner Shel Tzedakah” tonight, we pray that its light will shine into the dark corners of our world, bringing relief to those suffering from the indignity and pain that accompany poverty. May our act of giving inspire others to join with us in the fight against the scourge of hunger, homelessness, need and want. Together, let us raise our voices to cry out for justice, and may that clarion call burst through the night’s silence and declare that change must come.
Happy Hanukah!
Rabbi Shlomo Wing