Shabbat Hanukah - Miracles Happening

Hanukah isn’t a big deal in our house. Even when the kids were little, it took its rightful place in the calendar year as the least important holiday, although still a lot of fun. One year, before Keren was born, with a pile of presents from us, grandparents, uncles, and extended family, Jesse kept asking if he could “open just one more present?” After reminding him that if he opened everything now there’d be nothing left for the rest of the holiday, a flurry of wrapping paper filled our living room. We never looked back. Gifts were opened the first night and the rest of the 8 days could be focused simply on enjoying the candles and spending time together. We sing. We talk about the Maccabees and the Hasmonean corruption. We eat way too much fried food, sufganiyot, and chocolate. 

This year, our latke fest was pre-Hanukah so Keren could participate before returning to university. There has been schnitzel, stir-fry, fried fish, and fritters of different vegetables. This Shabbat I am away at a retreat, but I still baked challah for the family. The ring started as a star, but you never really know how the rise is going to go. Corners are hard in bread without a mold. Gavi said the dreydel looked like a pomegranate and the hanukiyah like a beach. It’s become a tradition that he misinterprets the shapes.

Hanukah is the holiday the Sages tried to suppress, but who doesn’t like an underdog comeback victory story. So they made it about a miracle. Did it happen? Doesn’t matter. Miracles are all around us. Perhaps a message for Hanukah is to open our eyes and look for them. My miracle this Hanukah can be found in the smiling faces of kids getting their covid vaccine and the relieved, grateful look in their parents’ eyes.  Hanukah is the holiday the Sages tried to suppress, but who doesn’t like an underdog comeback victory story. So they made it about a miracle. Did it happen? Doesn’t matter. Miracles are all around us. Perhaps a message for Hanukah is to open our eyes and look for them. My miracle this Hanukah can be found in the smiling faces of kids getting their covid vaccine and the relieved, grateful look in their parents’ eyes.  

Shabbat shalom. Hag Urim sameach. May we all emerge soon into the light.