Once a year, we do a double, magical lighting. The candles of Shabbat meet the candles of Hanukkah. In a year when we’ve seen so much darkness, this marriage of lights holds a special significance.
The Shabbat candles are inward; they represent the warmth and holiness of the home. They remind us to bring the peaceful light of Shabbat into our sanctuary during the week. They are a blessing, a halo for peace in the home.
Hanukkah candles are outward. We light them near a window, where they can be seen from the outside. They represent the Jewish ideal of spreading light throughout the world. Once we feel secure and peaceful in our home, we go out and help repair the world. That is Hanukkah, the imperative to look beyond our own confines.
In the year of COVID-19, however, we’ve been stuck in our homes. It’s been more difficult to look beyond, to help out, to engage with others. We’ve been physically distanced. We’ve been in permanent Shabbat mode, looking inward, wary of the darkness outside.
For this one night, we can remind the world and ourselves that peace in the home is the first step to peace in the world.
But this darkness presents an opportunity. A flame is more visible when it’s dark. The flame of Hanukkah will be especially visible in this year of darkness. So tonight, when the Hanukkah light meets the Shabbat light, can we do something different?
Yes — we can make both lights visible at our windows. We can use the outward light of Hanukkah to spread the inward light of Shabbat. Right now, in these trying times of quarantine, that inward light is the one we need most.
For this one night, we can remind the world and ourselves that peace in the home is the first step to peace in the world.
Shabbat shalom and happy Hanukkah.
