The Enduring Lessons of Chanukah

A thought for Zos Chanukah

As Chanukah comes to a close, it's natural to wonder what has become of all the light that we have absorbed over the past eight days.

The timing of Chanukah, which falls in two different months of the Jewish calendar during the time of the winter solstice, serves as a reminder that even during the darkest and coldest times of the year, we have the ability to carry the light within us. As the winter months approach and the days grow shorter, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the cold and the darkness. However, the holiday of Chanukah teaches us that no matter how difficult the circumstances may seem, we have the power to bring light and warmth into our own lives and the lives of those around us.

The central message of Chanukah is the triumph of light over darkness. The holiday celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over their oppressors, and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the Beis HaMikdash, even though there was only enough for one day. These events symbolize …