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This Hanukkah, I’m Embracing the Light
Last year, as the Festival of Lights approached, I found myself in the throes of a serious Hanukkah hangover. I woke up one morning, bleary-eyed and smelling like fried oil, a little too familiar with the bottle from the night before. Just like the latkes I served, I felt fried and ready to crumble. The candles may have been glowing brightly, but I was definitely dimming.
As Hanukkah rolls around again, I’m filled with a mix of excitement for cherished traditions and the weight of seasonal chaos. It’s a time rich with meaning, yet it’s all too easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of commercialism versus the enchantment of the holiday. Just the other night, after battling crowds for gifts, I had to pause and remind myself that there are miracles beyond simply snagging a good parking spot at the mall. Later, I found myself in a panic, wrestling with present wrapping, potato peeling, and trying to remember where I’d stashed the hanukiah—all while resisting the urge to devour chocolate coins and get “Light One Candle” out of my mind.
Hanukkah has started to feel like an endless, frustrating game of dreidel—spin, shin, never win. It’s high time I reclaim these eight days and refocus on what the holiday truly symbolizes: light. I’m not just talking about the gentle glow of the menorah, but the warm radiance of kindness. In the face of dark and daunting times, we can illuminate the world with generosity and goodwill.
This season can be extraordinary if we harness the power of light by turning our hearts toward meaningful actions. We can pray for others, extending our awareness beyond our own needs and asking for a broader perspective.
We can seek strength through the light of the Hanukkah candles to care for the sick and the suffering. We can pray for healing.
We can let the radiance of those candles guide us toward peace, safety, and reconciliation. We can ask for the courage to choose what is right, standing firmly on principles and integrity.
We can envision the light shining on tables overflowing with food, praying for an end to poverty and hunger.
We can hope that the glow reflects in our children’s eyes, reminding us of their boundless potential.
We can ask that the light revitalize those who have lost hope, leading them back to faith.
We can pray that the light resonates with song, giving us a voice and the bravery to speak for those who cannot.
We can also ask that the light ignite our awareness, dispelling ignorance and inspiring knowledge.
Last year, I woke up feeling like a stiff piece of wax, but so what? Every evening brings a fresh opportunity, each new day a chance for different choices—not just between applesauce and sour cream, but between compassion and indifference, involvement and detachment, brightness and darkness. I have eight nights ahead of me, plus a mountain of candles waiting to be lit. This little light of mine? I’m going to let it shine. And I believe you can do the same.
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In summary, as Hanukkah approaches, let’s remember to focus on kindness and positivity, illuminating the world around us with our actions and intentions.