Hanukkah begins in just a week, and this year, the first night falls on December 25th, Christmas Day. While the calendar might nudge us to reflect on the broader world we live in, the core message of Hanukkah calls us to look inward, to remember who we are and why that matters.
Hanukkah is a celebration born out of a struggle—not just against external oppression but against internal pressures to assimilate. In the second century BCE, under the influence of Hellenistic culture, many Jews believed that to survive, they had to blend in. They adopted Greek customs, language, and practices, thinking this would make life easier, perhaps even better.
But a small, determined group of Jews—led by the Maccabees—refused to surrender their identity. They understood that being Jewish was not a burden to be shed but an honor and a privilege to be upheld. They knew that the richness of Jewish life, with its traditions, its faith, and its values, was worth preserving at all costs. They did not fight merely for political freedom; they fought for the right to be Jewish—unapologetically, authentically, and proudly.
In our own time, the pressures to assimilate may look different, but they are still present. The events of October 7th and the wave of antisemitism that followed have tested our resolve. Many of us have felt fear, uncertainty, and the temptation to keep our Jewishness hidden. But Hanukkah’s message shines through the darkness: To be Jewish is not a liability; it is a privilege. Our history, our values, and our community are sources of immeasurable strength.
When we light the menorah, we are not just remembering a miracle from long ago. We are making a statement: We are still here. We are still proud. And we recognize the honor it is to carry forward the legacy of our people, to uphold the light that has guided us through millennia of darkness.
Being Jewish means belonging to a people who have contributed to the world with unwavering moral clarity, resilience, and hope. It means standing on the shoulders of ancestors who chose courage over convenience, faith over fear, and identity over invisibility. It means understanding that our light does not diminish in the face of darkness—it shines brighter.
This Hanukkah, let us remember that our Jewishness is not something to hide or explain away. It is a gift we share with the world. We have the privilege to illuminate the world with justice, compassion, and hope. We have the honor of carrying forward the story of a people who refuse to let their light be extinguished.
May the flames of the menorah remind us of who we are and inspire us to stand tall. May we feel the honor and the privilege of being Jewish, and may we shine that light into the world, now more than ever.
Chag Urim Sameach.
A very inspiring perspective on the celebration. Thank you.