Channukah Reminds us to Display Our Faith
2187 years ago, Jews emerged from their caves to fight. Their courage gives us inspiration today.
Tonight begins Chanukah. 2187 years ago, Jewish inhabitants of Israel fought the occupying Greek army.
Tonight, we celebrate by publicly displaying our menorah in our front window and lighting candles for 8 nights.
2187 years ago, Jews of Israel were prohibited by the occupying Greek’s from practicing their faith. Now we celebrate by displaying our faith openly.
2187 years ago, Jews were scared to display their faith. Now, across the world Jews celebrate by public menorah lightings and Channukah parties.
Except not this year.
Across the world public menorah lightings are canceled. Jewish students are scared to walk through their university quad. Friends have messaged me to tell me they are taking their Kipas off and tucking their Star of David necklaces into their shirts.
For years, university administrators have turned a blind eye to physical assaults, harassment, and calls for genocide of Jews. For years Jewish students have been under threat. It is no wonder Jewish enrollment in Ivy universities has declined by 50%. Jewish hate increases each year with very little response.
Jews do not feel welcome on the streets of New York, Detroit, Paris, and London, which is why over 1 million Jews are expected to migrate to Israel in the coming years. Jews who feel it is safer to live under constant rockets than in Munich or Chicago.
2187 years ago Jews hid in caves in the hills of Judea and Samaria. Today, Jews are watching marches calling for their genocide and wondering why there is so much “context” around the killing of Jews.
Some Jews have quietly decided not to put a menorah in their window this Channuka.
But not everyone.
Some of us are buying larger menorahs and larger Stars of David necklaces.
A Christian friend just sent me a picture of the menorah he bought for his window tonight. He told me how he was impacted by Christians in Denmark who saved 7,200 Jews by ferrying them to Sweden before the Nazis could round them up.
We are celebrating Channuakah 2187 years later because a small group of Jews led by the Maccabees refused to stay in their caves. They fought for their rights to express their faith, and freedom to celebrate their traditions.
The fight of the Maccabees continues today. Tonight, I will be lighting a large menorah in our home. If you are a Jew nervous about lighting your menorah, I urge you to read the story of Chanukah and draw your strength from the Maccabees.
If you are not Jewish, I welcome you to take inspiration from my Christian friend and join me in lighting a menorah in your window this Channukah.
I pray this Channukah gives those Jews who are not feeling safe, the strength and courage to stand tall.