Hannukah: Festival of Resistance

Hannukkah celebrates resistance – resistance to religious suppression and to political oppression. It’s the holiday when we gather to light our candles enshrouded in the darkness of winter’s short days and long nights. In the aftermath of Pittsburgh, we are sadly reminded of the increase of anti-Semitic incidents even as we are painfully aware of anti-Semites lurking beyond our walls who are willing to take up arms to attack us physically.

The tradition of adding candle to candle during the eight nights of the festival is a reminder that change does not come about in one fell swoop; it is achieved through the contribution and participation of many individuals prepared to merge their talents and strengths to achieve a common goal.

The shamash, as the enabling candle, symbolizes the power of each of us to add to the light, thereby furthering the struggle. The recent election demonstrated that each vote is an act of enablement, and when taken together, creates an engine of change.

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May Hannukah 5779 strengthen our resolve in the words immortalized by Peter, Paul and Mary not to let the light – the light in each of our hands – go out. From Jerusalem, my best wishes for a bright, festive  and fulfilling celebration of our traditional Festival of Lights and of resistance.

Arnold M. Goodman served as the senior rabbi of Ahavath Achim Synagogue from 1982 to 2002 and is its senior rabbinic scholar. He currently lives in Jerusalem.