Second Monday of Advent | Last Day of Chanukah

✠ | TODAY'S READINGS

Today is the last day of Chanukah, what is Chanukah, and why is it a holiday that is celebrated with the lighting of candles?

Around 200 BCE Judea came under the rule of the great Antiochus III of Syria. During his reign, Antiochus III decreed that an altar be erected in the Jewish Temple where pigs would be offered to Zeus. This provoked a large-scale revolt which was led by Mattathias who was a Jewish priest and his five sons. The rebellion was successful, and by 164 BCE the Temple and Judea were liberated, and the Temple rededicated. To commemorate the rededication of the Temple, and the victories of the Hasmonean, who were essentially a band of rebels who overcame the odds and defeated a well-organized and more powerful army the holiday of Chanukah was instituted.

Today Chanukah or as it is also known as the festival of lights has taken on a new meaning over the past centuries. Throughout the past two thousand years that the Jewish community has wandered from place to place. It was the Chanukah candles that have instilled and provided the light the Jewish people needed. Even in the darkest of times, these lights provided hope for the future.

The Jewish sages teach that a small ray of light can dispel even the thickest of darkness. Today we are more divided than ever. It feels that the darkness is getting thicker. Yet, when one sees this light, it helps to remind them that tomorrow is another day, and we must not lose hope.

Each human being has a soul that is described as a candle. So, let’s extend a hand to our fellow humans during this holiday season. Let's ignite their soul/candle, and together we will be able to dispel the darkness and division from amongst us, and once again bring the world and humanity to a brighter and better day.

Rabbi Avi Lesches

Director of Five Borough Initiatives

Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce