Rabbi Ron Stern shares some Hanukkah meditations to get you in the spirit of the festival of lights.

As we reflect on the meaning of light, and our power to bring it into the world, we invite you to increase the light this Hanukkah with our Center for Tikkun Olam Hanukkah Give Back Guide.​​​​​​ ​Like all good jokes, the familiar story of the Jewish People (“they tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!”) actually contains some truth. In fact, that’s the way the Bible characterizes the stories of individuals and the nation. A character is pulled from obscurity, brought to power, faces overwhelming challenges, falls to the depths of near defeat, and then, when all hope seems lost, achieves victory again. Time to eat!

That’s the story we tell about the Maccabees and Hanukkah. They were a small band of rebels facing off against a mighty and corrupt Greek-Jewish apostate alliance. All odds were against them and when defeat seemed likely, they achieved a miraculous victory and restored peace, prosperity, and Jewish integrity to the region.

The tale of Joseph usually is read around the time of Hanukkah. It also reflects the despair to triumph pattern. Sold to slavery, he finds himself in dungeon—literally so low he’s beneath the earth—until his wit and good fortune allow him to rise to great heights as pharaoh’s vizier.

The history of modern Israel reflects that same scenario. A resolute nation of refugees and determined pioneers faced near disaster against the armies of the surrounding nations. Facing the near destruction of the War of Independence in 1948, the nation rose up from potential doom to become one of the world’s powerful countries.

We Jews have been conveying the message of the possible and affirming the power of hope for thousands of years. Though forces are arrayed against us, though the odds seem insurmountable, the story we tell about ourselves is one of ultimate triumph. It’s a fitting image for these times when despair looms. A fitting reminder that the increasing lights of the Hanukkiah reflect the growing hope in our hearts.

— Rabbi Ron Stern