December 10, 2009

Shalom,

The holiday of Hanukkah is one of my favorite times of year, when Israeli families come together to celebrate, children brim over with excitement, and the streets of Jerusalem sparkle with dancing lights from Hanukkah menorahs illuminating doorways and windows. During this eight-day "Festival of Light" we feast on sweet treats, dance together in worship, and recall the miracle that God performed in the Holy Temple during biblical times—the miracle of making one little jar of oil fuel the menorah's light until more oil could be found, for eight days straight.

When I light my menorah on Hanukkah, I feel like God is turning my very home into a Holy Temple. I sit next to the burning candles, close my eyes, and envision the high priest Aaron lighting the candles 2,000 years ago, as part of the Temple service. To me, the menorah is a symbol of the Godly presence that once filled every corner of the world.

It awes me to think about what a gift the holiday of Hanukkah is. During the times of the Temple, one of the miracles that occurred was that the Menorah's light never burned out—it was called the eternal flame. How amazing, that through our celebration of this holiday today, the menorah's flame really is eternal—although the Temple was destroyed millennia ago, the "eternal flame" is still burning!

When I walk down the streets of Jerusalem on Hanukkah and see the flickering lights from menorah candles in the doorways or windows of every single house, I cannot help but smile. It makes me realize that God has given us the ability to truly make our home into a holy temple, if only we welcome Him in.

As I dance, sing, and rejoice on Hanukkah, together with the other children of Israel, I feel a strong sense of redemption. At Hanukkah, we are not dominated by thoughts of war, terror, or fear. Instead, we experience the beautiful reality that we are God's children, and He always watches over us.

On a holiday that celebrates the miracles and wonders God performed in biblical times, I look around and recognize the miracles that He performs each and every day. I believe, with complete faith, that the light of the menorah will once again burn in the Holy Temple, right here in Jerusalem—the Jerusalem of peace.

With blessings from Jerusalem,
Yael