A Teaching for the Nights of Hanukkah
Although some of Hanukah has passed, these meditations for each night are still powerful and insightful for the rest of Hanukkah.
The following passage is excerpted from a Hanukkah drash by the Rabbi Yehuda Leib Alter of Ger [the Sefat Emet, d. 1905], as a meditation during the week of Hanukkah.
It is written: “נר ה' נשמת האדם ~ A flame (candle) of Adonai is the soul of the human being, searching out all the belly’s chambers” (Proverbs 20:27). The Gemara notes that searching requires a candle…
Sanctuary and Temple are found in every one of Israel, as Scripture says: “I will dwell within them” (Ex.25:8). These are present insofar as a person makes it clear to himself that all of life-energy comes from the soul. Thus we say each day: “The soul you have given me is pure…” This means that there is a certain pure place within each of us, but it is indeed deeply hidden. Each of us has, within us, a divine light that is ready to flow forth to spread love, compassion and generosity.
Especially at this season, when lights were miraculously lit for Israel even though they did not have enough oil, there remains light even now to help us, with the aid of these Hanukkah candles, to find that hidden light within. Hiding takes place mainly in the dark; we need the candles’ light to seek and to find…
First Night: Think about the verse “נר ה' נשמת האדם ~ A flame of Adonai is the human soul” together with the image of the flame of the first Hanukkah candle. Begin by gazing at the flame, and then close your eyes and allow yourself to see the flame within, at the center of your being. Your breath can guide you there.
There are many times when we can’t feel the Divine light within us. We feel diminished, insecure, or full of worry or regret, so our inner strength, and God’s love for us, seems absent. The first night of Hanukkah reminds us that awareness of light grows, just as the lights of our Hanukiyot will grow from night to night throughout Hanukkah. Darkness does not prevail. The potential for light, for strength and love, is always within us.
Second Night: What are the places of darkness in my life and in the world around me that are of greatest concern to me right now? How might I bring light to one of them?
Third Night: What are the sources of light in my life? How can I draw on them more regularly and fully?
Fourth Night: Meditate on the verse “ ושכנתי בתוכם ~v’shachanti b’tocham~ I will dwell within them” (Exodus 25:8). Imagine God dwelling inside you. Let God dwell in the light and the dark within you. See what perspectives change about yourself as you do this.
Fifth Night: How can I reconnect with the Divine light within me when it seems hidden? How can I see the Divine light within others when it seems hidden? Who do I need to see light in, to see good in?
The fifth night is often a night of generosity. An additional question for tonight is how can I rededicate myself to Mishkan Tefila? How can I contribute to its growth and light? Tonight is a good night to make a donation to CMT in honour of our rededication as a community.
Sixth Night: Is there anything in my experience that feels like a miracle? How do I want to respond to these experiences?
Seventh Night: What in my life calls out for rededication?
Eighth Night: What can I celebrate in my life? What is the “Hallel” (songs of praise and gratitude) that I can sing at this moment in my life?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
