A Chanukah Message From Rabbi Neil Sandler
Hillel said, “We increase holiness and never diminish it.” Today we follow Hillel’s practice, and his words become prescriptive.
Rabbi Neil Sandler is the senior rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue.
On Thanksgiving, we express gratitude for the many blessings we enjoy. Among those blessings is the good fortune to live in a country that is the greatest democracy in the world.
Yet living in the United States of America is also a challenge today. We see divisions among the American people that feel unprecedented to us.
Soon we will kindle our Chanukah menorahs. As we light them and offer the blessings, we might add these words this year: “May the light of these candles help to dispel the darkness we feel.” But words like those do not challenge each of us to actively make a difference to dispel that darkness.
Many years ago, Shammai and Hillel disagreed about how to light the Chanukah menorah. Shammai insisted we ought to light eight candles the first evening of the holiday and decrease the number each evening thereafter. Hillel said that we must light additional candles each evening until the Chanukah menorah reaches the peak of its brightness on the final evening of the holiday. Why? Because, Hillel said, “We increase holiness and never diminish it.” Today we follow Hillel’s practice, and his words become prescriptive.
As we look at our society today, we cannot only pray for change. We cannot only call on others to bring about change. We must “increase holiness and never diminish it.” We must actively participate in reparative acts that will create anew that “shining city on the hill.”
Chag Urim Sameach – Happy Chanukah to all!
Neil Sandler is a rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Buckhead.
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