As we fast approach Hanukah, it’s hard not to think of our brethren, barely surviving underground, day after day in Gaza.
The Festival of Lights , reminds us that there is still hope in our lives. With that ray of sunshine, or fire burning, we can muster the courage to go on.
As families, we gather to celebrate the triumph of the Maccabees in days gone by, and it symbolizes the struggle of the Jews in history.
Today, once again we are witnessing the struggle of our tribe on a scale preceded by other challenges, to survive as a people.
I can’t imagine the horrors of being kidnapped and held hostage for over a year, trying to maintain hope with each day that goes by. The notion of time , is not marked there, by a cyclical sunset.
Above you, you may hear bombings and pray that your rescue is fast approaching. Surely, you too might fear, that time is running out, as it was with the little remaining oil, to light the menorah way back when. We need a MIRACLE once again and soon.
Your courage may be weaning, your physical strength fleeting, and your spirit broken as time blurs in that hellhole.
God knows what brutality you have been subjected to? In fact, your faith has surely been tested waiting for this never ending cycle of horror to end.
In life, many of us have befallen to episodes of despair, battling health issues, destructive family dynamics, and existing in a world filled with an increase in hatred towards Jews. It’s a struggle we are all too familiar with.
So how does one maintain HOPE, when logic is devoid of compassion and empathy? The daily news feeds, reveal a world gone mad. We who exist above the ground are disillusioned and frightened and yet we can look up to the sky most days, and see the rays of sunshine.
But those tortured underground as hostages, remain in the dark, in endless dismay.
This Hanukah, I pray for the release of those held captive. How many are left we don’t know. What their dispositions are is undetermined, but I’d wager to say, they shall return if at all, very different souls.
There are some children amongst those being held, who normally would be spinning dreidels, laughing and gobbling up chocolate gelt to their hearts delight. They’d be joined by relatives and friends gathering to mark the miracle of limited oil which lasted eight days. The triumph of the Jews in yet another historical moment when challenged with the destruction of the temple. But they were victorious, despite all odds.
So by the time Hanukkah rolls around like a spinning top, with the aroma of latkes and joy filling our homes, may those remaining hostages be on solid earth, where they are once exposed to the warmth of the sun.
They have waited so very long to know that there are no guarantees in life. But I envision them breathing fresh air, reunited with loved ones and embraced by a nation who only wants to nurture and care for them, after their demise as hostages.
Will they spring back to their old selves if rescued? It would be a bittersweet victory, as they navigate towards some sense of normalcy. But I’d take that option any day, over remaining hidden and forgotten.
When you are dying, it often is depicted as turning towards the light. It’s speculated that there is a better place on the other side, waiting to greet you.
For those who have fallen prey to the horrors of this war, may they all be basking in the glow of a new world, where HOPE rules the day.
Chag Sameach and may this upside down world be flipped over to release all those imprisoned to freedom.
Never take the LIGHT for granted!
Amen.
