It is now the
festival of Hanukkah. It feels like such a special festival but why? There is
always a sense of happiness and family. Just lighting candles and singing songs
over eight days can bring people closer together. What I find inspirational is
the power of Hanukkah.
Hope is the main
symbol of Hanukkah. The Maccabees had to fight the great Greek army and they
prevailed, they found the temple in a mess but decided to light it up with a
day's worth of oil that lasted for eight. Still today, when we celebrate this
festival on the 24th Kislev, getting presents and seeing your family can create
that hope that carries us through to the next year. It is amazing how much this
wonderful festival helps.
A big family dinner
with latkes and doughnuts can provoke togetherness. It is a very Jewish thing
to have large meals. There is nothing wrong with this. Food brings warmth and
conversation so when you are sitting in a dining room having a discussion with
someone with a warm feeling, it is easy to feel closer to people around you.
Sitting with your family, there is a great amount of love and happiness.
Hanukkah includes these times and this is part of why it is such a lovely thing
to have.
