Hanukkah, 2009

Krakow Synagogue

Image from Wikimedia Commons

Since Hanukkah began tonight at sunset, I want to bring you the following:

1. What does Chanukah mean? The word Chanukah means dedication. It refers to the re-dedication and re-opening, in the year 164 Before the Common Era, of the Temple that stood in Jerusalem until the year 70 of the Common Era. Temple worship had been interrupted by a war between local Jews and colonial forces from the Seleucid empire to the north and east.

2. This Chanukah, liberate yourself spiritually. Whether you are Jewish or not, take a moment to consider those things to which you are dedicated. To what might you re-dedicate yourself with renewed commitment? To whom can you turn for support in doing so? As you do this, you will be following in the footsteps of Judah Maccabbee and the other ancient Chanukah heroes who asked those very questions, and found spiritual liberation when they answered them.

-- Rabbi Brad Hirschfield

This was from a little Beliefnet article. You can read the rest of it right here.

I really like the emphasis on dedication and re-dedication and I think we can all benefit greatly by reflecting on this meaning.