Over the past year, we have learned to celebrate the holidays within limitations. Now Hanukkah is coming, and we still cannot hold, as we do every year, the traditional Hanukkah parties and beloved family gatherings. Nevertheless, we will celebrate Hanukkah and look for the ray of light amidst the general confusion.
On Hanukkah, we all light candles, the houses are illuminated by the small flames, and we sit in front of this light and feel that a small light has also been ignited in our hearts.
A pleasant, warm atmosphere suddenly surrounds everything. Maybe that's why we all love the days of Hanukkah so much.
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The truth is, it's good for us.
The thing we lack most of all is light, a little light. Some believe that in order for things to be better, we need to change world orders, turn worlds upside down, and bring about comprehensive transformations. That is not true. We only need to light a small candle, send out a ray of light, and discover that the darkness is nothing but an illusion and that we truly must thank God for all the goodness He showers upon us.
There is a huge gap between the public atmosphere created by the media and other factors, and the personal feelings of the majority of the public. Despite all the difficulties and problems, the vast majority feel that they are doing well on a private and family level.
Of course, there are many whose fate has not been kinder to them. The Corona restrictions have damaged the livelihoods of quite a few citizens. Some have lost their loved ones. And yet, when examining the public sentiment, the vast majority thanks the Creator for their good lives.
The unstable public arena is indeed worrying, but are we all public figures whose state affairs disturb our peace to the point that they overshadow the good in our lives? It seems that there is a great deal of wallowing in an atmosphere of misery here, which is unnecessary, and which also instills in us a sense of despondency and hopelessness.
True concern is not tested by letting off steam and dissipating feelings of despair. Those who are truly concerned about a problematic situation stand up and do something to change it. Spreading resentment and whining everywhere is certainly not a solution. What is needed is to light a small candle, to radiate a positive, pleasant atmosphere around us. Look for the positive sides, to add good, enlightening, and joyful deeds.
Each one is a small candle.
The Chanukah candles are the ray of light that has the power to illuminate our lives as well. Look at the small candles and see how little light has the power to illuminate and make the heart happy. Such small flames, and how much power they contain! We need to stop fighting with the darkness, to cease our constant preoccupation with all things negative, and instead shine a light and highlight the good and beautiful.
We must adopt the basic approach of Hasidic teachings: to see the good in each and every one, to believe in the supreme providence that guides us, to rejoice in every moment of comfort and in the goodness given to us by the Creator.
If each and every one of us is a small candle, spreading joy and faith around us, we will find the strength to correct the shortcomings. If we stop giving up in the face of every failure, and joyfully surrender to the great challenges that these days bring us, we will be able to mobilize the
