I wanted to say to everyone who celebrates Chanukah Sameach! I hope that this holiday brings to you many happy memories and quality time with your friends and family.
Why am I wishing this to you on the 3rd night and not the 1st night? DeMolay International expressed the well wishes already for us! But it goes back to how I have best experienced the Holiday with my friend Chris and his family.
For them, the first night was the nuclear family, the second night was with their Bubbe and Zayda, the third night, however, was the night for their friends.
This was when we would join them for lighting the menorah, playing games including the dreidel , receiving gelt (gold chocolate coins), telling the Chanukah story, as well as amazing latkes and, though out of season , ever amazing hamantaschen! Occasionally this would change depending on when other holidays fell, but more often than not it was the third night.
Chris would always explain that the light of the menorah was meant to be shared. As DeMolays this should remind us of another set of lights that should be shared.
In DeMolay we stress the importance of respecting and understanding other people's faith traditions.
If you're not very familiar with the story of Chanukah it is well worth reading. Chabad has a great resource here: https://www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/article_cdo/aid/102978/jewish/The-Story-of-Chanukah.htm
There is something for everyone to learn:
The quick summary is that while being governed by the Seleucids Empire, the traditional form and practice of the Jewish religion had fallen out of practice. It was being replaced by Greek practice and tradition. Given the huge social and political pressure most people "went along to go along." Yet, a band of brothers called the Maccabees stood up for what they thought was right. They rebelled and led a courage campaign to return to traditional observances.
The odds were not in their favor.
A rag tag group of farmers were taking on the premiere military force of the world at the time. Yet, the Maccabees won and they were able to restore what had been lost. At the height of their greatest victory however, when they were going to restore and rededicate the temple there wasn't enough oil. Yet, with limited resources they pressed on and a miracle happened because they preserve and trusted their G-d.
A few things for us to think about:
1) When presented with the option to go along and do what everyone else is doing, do we go along to get along, or do we stand up for what is right?
2) When we face a challenge, like the Maccabees did of not having enough oil, how do we respond? Do we use the resource we have to do the best we can, or do we give up?
3) Do we take the time to understand people's religions? Do we show respect for their beliefs on a daily basis?
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