Dear Readers,
Once upon a time, there was a small flame that burnt brightly. Wherever the flame went, it brought light and illumination to its surroundings. But because of that, there were also those who tried to extinguish it.
The wind tried blowing it out. The water tried to drown it. The sand tried snuffing it. And the darkness tried to overpower it. But no matter what, the small flame continued to shine brightly.
There were moments when the flame itself doubted its light-producing capabilities. There were even times when it yearned to be just as dark as the blackness around it.
But something in the flame kept it shining brightly. Some called it stubbornness. Others attributed it to fate or luck, while others predicted its eventual demise. Only a few recognized it as the indestructible Jewish soul, forever and intrinsically bound to its Creator.
Chanukah is the festival of lights. We light the menorah to commemorate the victory of light over darkness. We celebrate how a small Jewish uprising miraculously overpowered the tough Greek army and fought to keep the Torah and its mitzvot. We remember the miracle of a small cruse of oil that was sufficient to light the menorah for only one day but burned brightly for eight days.
And on Chanukah, we also commemorate the miracle of the Jewish people, a nation that refused to be obliterated.
The story of the small flame is the story of the Jewish people. It is the story that we witness in every generation, and it is the story of Israel at war today.
With heartfelt prayers for open, wondrous miracles, for the return of all our hostages, and for peace and security for all the Jewish people.
Chana Weisberg
Editor, TJW
