Counting Blessings, Adding Light

As I write these words, folks are heading out for Thanksgiving break to see family, to soak in a few days of rejuvenation. At the risk of repeating something we’ve all surely heard many times: We have plenty of blessings in our lives, and we should express our gratitude to friends, to family, to God. And, yes, we all know, if we pay attention, we can see people near and far away who struggle with a lot. Holidays also have a bittersweet edge as they often remind us of loss, loved ones who used to light up our lives. Scanning outward, we might have friends or family in Israel who are exhausted, burnt out, desperate, despondent, doing everything in their power to keep it together amidst an unending war. Now is surely a time to reach out to them, to find the appropriate gesture to help out [there are no gestures that are too small]. There are all the civilians in Gaza and Lebanon whose lives have been brutally upended. This is the time to be mindful of all of this.

Undoubtedly, you’ve heard or read about the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, may he rest in peace. Rav Kogan was the Chabad emissary to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. We can honor his legacy through mitzvot, as his actions were about kindness and uplifting the community he served. Sad as it is to write about tragic events, we simply cannot shut our eyes and hearts away from this world of light and darkness.

Finally, a word about Hanukkah, which coincides with Christmas this year. There are menorah lighting events in Macon and Milledgeville. They’re important opportunities: the lights put a message into the world. Our talmudic sages – so long ago- taught that we should put the candles in the window, if possible, for the purpose of pirsuma nisa, publicizing the miracle. In your mind, that might be the wonderful story of the jar of oil that wouldn’t run out. Or perhaps you are thinking about the Maccabean victory and the restoration of the Holy Temple. Or maybe it’s a joyful declaration to the world: We are here, and we’re not going to cower or shrink in response to the antisemic scourge which can be seen in so many places. Not just in the Netherlands. I’m referencing the masked Nazi marchers bearing swastika flags in Ohio. There is a lot of darkness out in the world. It is frightening; we can’t simply deny what we see or minimize the impact. And yet, here we are, one candle at a time, one kind gesture at a time, honoring Rav Kogan, uniting our hearts with our brothers and sisters in Israel, holding the world in our hearts as we resolve, not only to remember the ancient miracles, but to play our part in bringing light, celebrating, pouring love into this world. May it be a mindful Thanksgiving and a joyous Hanukkah filled with gratitude.