Hanukkah also celebrates the little light found within and its ability to dispel a great deal of darkness. Whether within a little vase of oil found in the Temple or within our own hearts, this story promises that good things really do come in small packages and that each of us is one of those packages.
The Haftarah, Saturday morning reading from the Prophets, which is read on the Shabbat of Hanukkah, is from Zechariah, chapter 4. It says “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit alone said the Lord of Hosts.” Victory is not a physical thing, or at least it’s not accomplished physically, according to this version of the Hanukkah story.
Hanukkah celebrates the light we all carry within us and its ability to change the world. According to the Baal Shem Tov, founder of the Hasidic movement, Hanukkah represents the ability to revive the divine spark of light which resides in every human soul and to realize the full potential of that spark to dispel the darkness that exists in the world. And just as there was more power to burn in that little bit of oil than anyone anticipated, each of us carries within us the power to accomplish more than we ever imagine.
What’s the little light you carry within yourself about which almost nobody knows? What challenges might you dare yourself to overcome in the next year? What inner capacity would you like to develop in the year ahead?
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Author, radio and TV talk show host, and President of CLAL-The National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership, Brad Hirschfield is the author of 
posted December 28, 2008 at 8:50 pm
“Hanukkah represents the ability to revive the divine spark of light which resides in every human soul and to realize the full potential of that spark to dispel the darkness that exists in the world.”
Thank you so much for your posts.
It seems blood-lust is prevalent and causing pain in many nations. People stuck in ancient conflicts, which are similar to, and in many cases, perhaps, as comical as the Hatfields and McCoys.
(please don’t take offense at my ignorance, or innocence)
What I am referring to is…such as Drug lords and religious Elders who sacrifice children for the sake of their own eartly toys.
I don’t have any answer; however, many people also lust for salvation.. without destroying other people.
Which to me, is sort of like a baptism in water as opposed to force.
As one who was baptized as an adult I can attest to this…. inside that particular moment of immersion, the Ego is sacrificed for the promise of God..
…which to me, is the promise of the God of Abraham who promised him..
“Your own issue will be your inheritance”.
In others words, perhaps, our own problems suspended inside of a solution can be the beginning of a salve.
Peace
Keren
posted December 29, 2008 at 8:12 am
Rabbi Hirschfield,
I would like to share more of what is good within me with others next year. I think that we are all blessed with something from God to share and give unto others.
“What’s the little light you carry within yourself about which almost nobody knows?” I can’t think of the right answer at this moment. But I guess that once you start sharing and giving, you and people will learn and get to know more about the great qualities that are hidden within all of us. Either we are pushing each other towards greatness and light or we are pushing each other towards self-destruction and darkness. Let us choose light instead. I have a lot of space to improve knowing that without working on and changing myself, I cannot really expect the world to change. But at the same time I know that I need to rely on the grace of God and the Sprit of God while I continue to develop and improve. I want to quote Zechariah, chapter 4 here as well.
Thanks.
Eric