TBT Blog

Normally, Chanukah is a fun time of the year. Between the food and the parties and the gifts and the lights, these eight days truly light up our lives.

But this year is anything but normal.

In fact, in my almost 70 years, I am not sure I’ve ever experienced a Chanukah like this.

• Israel – the place where the story of Chanukah occurs – is at war.
• As of writing this note, there are still 140 hostages being held captive by Hamas.
• The rise of anti-Semitism has been unprecedented here in the U.S.
• The conflation of anti-Israelism, pro-Palestinianism, and anti-Semitism is (frankly) frightening.

And yet…

It is more important now than ever before to celebrate Chanukah and to remember its essential message: Chanukah is the first recorded fight for religious freedom. The right to choose one’s own faith traditions, to be who one wants to be…that is the real story of Chanukah.

Yes, there is the wonderful “bubbe-meise” of the miracle of oil that lasted 8 days, but that story deflects from the power of the Chanukah story. What is miraculous is that a small group of dedicated Jewish souls were able to fight the greatest power in the world (at that time) in order to retain their unique Jewish culture and traditions.

Some want to suggest that the David-Goliath story of Chanukah (David = Hasmonean Jewish fighters; Goliath = Antiochus and the Syrian-Greek army) is equivalent to the Palestinians (David) and Israel (Goliath). I am sorry. It is the wrong equivalence to make.

In truth, today it is Israel who is David, and it is the “outside world” that is Goliath.

Sadly, the world chooses to place unique restrictions on Israel, that it does not require of other nations. Sadly, the world ignores the brutality that Hamas has perpetrated especially upon women and children during the October 7 massacre. Sadly, the United Nations has turned a blind eye to the atrocities that Hamas routinely commits against its own population, in addition to its attacks upon Israel. Sadly…

No, this Chanukah is different. Because we are in the same fight that our ancestors fought back in 165 BCE. Israel is simply fighting for its right to live in peace, to be Jewish without fear nor apology. And that is our fight, here in the United States, as well.

Watching and listening to the reports of pro-Palestinian rallies that are infused with anti-Semitic tropes, learning of the many acts of vandalism and hatred that are occurring throughout the greater Seattle area and in communities large and small within our country…it feels like we are back 2200 years ago in Israel (or even 85 years ago in Germany).

No, this Chanukah is different. And we must proudly proclaim: Nes Gadol Haya Sham…a great miracle happened there…AND we must equally proclaim: Nes Gadol Hinei Po…a great miracle is happening here. And what is that miracle? It is that we are proudly Jewish, that we will speak against all who wish to deny anyone the right to be who they are–across faith, gender, sexuality, race, politics, and creed.

The essence of Chanukah is light. Let the light shine on truth. Let the light shine on freedom. Let the light shine on healing and on hope.

Rabbi Molly and I encourage you to do two things this Chanukah:

• As is traditional, place your own Chanukah menorah IN THE WINDOW. Let the world experience the light of Chanukah…let the world know that we stand for light, in a world filled with darkness.
• Join us on Friday, December 8, for our communal Chanukah (and Shabbat) service. Bring your Chanukah menorah with you (we will provide the candles). Let us have 50 or even 100 chanukiot shine together, spreading light throughout our building and out into the world.

This Chanukah is different. Let us use these eight days to rededicate ourselves to our own traditions and to helping others experience the true message of our holiday. Happy Chanukah.