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 A Special Hanukkah Message from Rabbi Lustig
Long before Judah Maccabee, son of Mattathias the Hasmonean, defeated the powerful army of Antiochus IV, the men and women of the Middle East commemorated the waning days of summer's light and the coming of the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, with a celebration of light. When the ruling successor to Alexander the Great, Antiochus, forbade the Jews of Judea to pray and participate in the religious life of Judaism, the darkness they experienced was not only physical but spiritual as well.
The revolt of Judah and his followers was to win back the right of the men and women of Judea to be who they desired to be, to live freely as Jews. When the last front was won and the "hammer" like attacks of Judah the Maccabee ended in victory, the men and women of Jerusalem gathered to rededicate their Temple. They lit the sacred menorah, but more, they gave light to one another. They knew that in the darkest of times we can make light by who we choose to be, what we choose to fight for and why.
This is what the holiday of rededication is all about -- remembering what we believe in and acting accordingly. Thousands of years later, in the greatest and freest country in which Jews have ever lived, it is time to rededicate ourselves to making light. These are unprecedented times in our country and throughout the world. As global markets express volatility, it is and will no doubt be a time of greater need for many. It is a time to remind our children and ourselves who we are by what we choose to do. This year on Hanukkah we hope to help make light: the light that comes when we care for others. The light we will make will be the light of concern, compassion and caring for others in our great city of Washington DC.
As we enter the sanctuary on December 19 for our congregational celebration of Hanukkah, let us rededicate ourselves to the principles and prophetic voice we have always followed as members of Washington Hebrew Congregation for these last 156 years. The members of WHC have witnessed a civil war, World Wars, the Great Depression, the political unrest and growing pains of the 1960's.
No matter what the challenge, we have been there for the Jewish community and the city at large. We have understood that the best gifts are the gifts we give to others. So in the great tradition of Washington Hebrew Congregation, each of our religious school classes has been asked to bring gifts: school supplies, canned goods, toys, books, hats, gloves and scarves. As we light the hanukkiah we will make light by our commitment to helping others.
Long ago, as Judah and his followers entered the great Temple and rekindled the fl ame of the Eternal Light, they knew that in each Jew who chooses to live by the principles of our faith there is light ...light for a better, brighter tomorrow. Join us as we together bring the light of dedication into our world.
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