One of the themes I find most intriguing about Chanukah is pirsumei nisah, literally "publicizing the miracles" of the Jews' salvation from the scourge of mighty Greece. We light the menorah facing the maximum street traffic to make known the miracles far and wide.
Lest we think we publicize the events simply because they happened long ago (perhaps we forgot?), we bless G-d "who made miracles in those days at this time." Miracles weren't only ancient phenomena; in our own days G-d shows up in unexpected and wondrous ways. The candles we kindle are not only a reminder of ancient lights; we encounter miraculous new light today in the gifts of daily Divine insight. As the verse says, ner Hashem nishmas adam, "the candle of G-d is the soul of man." G-d's light rest upon us, shines through us.
This is easy to forget, especially in the context of our simultaneous capacity for darkness. Lest we get lost, we must tell others and tell ourselves of the miracles and the light.
With blessings for a Happy Chanuka,
Henry Harris
Lest we think we publicize the events simply because they happened long ago (perhaps we forgot?), we bless G-d "who made miracles in those days at this time." Miracles weren't only ancient phenomena; in our own days G-d shows up in unexpected and wondrous ways. The candles we kindle are not only a reminder of ancient lights; we encounter miraculous new light today in the gifts of daily Divine insight. As the verse says, ner Hashem nishmas adam, "the candle of G-d is the soul of man." G-d's light rest upon us, shines through us.
This is easy to forget, especially in the context of our simultaneous capacity for darkness. Lest we get lost, we must tell others and tell ourselves of the miracles and the light.
With blessings for a Happy Chanuka,
Henry Harris
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