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Do you need to be Jewish to celebrate Chanukah?

by Rabbi Naftali Silberberg

  

Library » Holidays » Chanukah » The Laws | Subscribe | What is RSS?

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Only Jewish people are required to light the Menorah and observe the laws of Chanukah, but the profound message of Chanukah is universal. We live in a world which is plagued by all sorts of darkness, depravity and immorality. Instead of giving up, the message of Chanukah is that a little light can go a long way towards dispelling a lot of darkness. Even if you feel that you don't have sufficient energy to provide much light, we see that a little jug of oil provided light for as long as was necessary.

So go ahead and (rather than light a candle) be a candle - you be the source of light. Illuminate your surroundings with kindness, faith and good deeds, and you are guaranteed to see a Chanukah miracle -- your "limited" talents will have far reaching effects. And don't forget the next message of Chanukah: every night you have to add another candle. Continuing the good deeds of yesterday aren't enough for today. Today you have to add another good need, more light.


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RELATED CATEGORIES

Holidays » Chanukah
Chanukah
An eight day mid-winter holiday marking: 1) The miraculous defeat of the mighty Syrian-Greek armies by the undermanned Maccabis in the year 140 BCE. 2) Upon their victory, the oil in the Menorah, sufficient fuel for one night only, burned for eight days and nights.
Menorah
Candelabra. Usually a reference to the nine-branched candelabra kindled on the holiday of Chanukah.