This Chanukah began with shocking darkness, an unspeakable crime against not only Jews in Australia, but ultimately each one of us. However, our response to the event bespeaks the resilience of our people, a people that are committed to create light in the face of darkness.

But really, beyond the imagery of light and dark, what does it mean to light a candle, adding one each day?  The key to the mitzvah is the words of Beit Hillel, who teach ‘we ascend in holiness and do not go down.’

Consider the story of the oil that lasts for eight days. What does that really mean? It means that in truth, the flames atop the oil are really not physical, but spiritual.  There source is from beyond, or Beyond. The first time we hear about eight in connection with fire interestingly is the dedication of the altar in the wilderness. For seven days Moses trains Aaron and his sons in the sacred sacrificial service. On the eighth day, Moses and Aaron bless the people, and miraculously a fire comes down from heaven consuming the sacrifices. Fire in the Torah represents the Divine presence, which dwells within the Temple, and by extension the people of Israel.

The festival of Chanukah means dedication. What are we dedicating? The most ancient sources of the........

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