“The Spirit of Chanukah” Rabbi Zecher’s Shabbat Awakenings
Friday, December 3, 2021
Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings as we make our way toward Shabbat and this week, Chanukah!
From Moses to the prophet, Isaiah, to the prophet, Zechariah and then to the Maccabees we find a transformative sacred thread woven throughout.
It is ruach, the energy of life propelled by the divine force in the universe. It is the spirit and breath of God.
When Moses pleaded with God that he could not carry the burden of leadership by himself. God responded:
וְיָרַדְתִּ֗י וְדִבַּרְתִּ֣י עִמְּךָ֮ שָׁם֒ וְאָצַלְתִּ֗י מִן־הָר֛וּחַ אֲשֶׁ֥ר עָלֶ֖יךָ וְשַׂמְתִּ֣י עֲלֵיהֶ֑ם וְנָשְׂא֤וּ אִתְּךָ֙ בְּמַשָּׂ֣א הָעָ֔ם וְלֹא־תִשָּׂ֥א אַתָּ֖ה לְבַדֶּֽךָ׃
I will come down and speak with you there, and I will draw upon the spirit (ruach) that is on you and put it upon [the seventy elders]; they shall share the burden of the people with you, and you shall not bear it alone.
Numbers 11:17
It was then that Moses recognized that sharing his own spirit, as God drew upon it for the others, did not diminish Moses’s ability to lead.
Isaiah, too, used the image of ruach, God’s spirit, as the source of life sprouting forth even in the midst of destruction.
וְנָחָ֥ה עָלָ֖יו ר֣וּחַ יְהֹוָ֑ה ר֧וּחַ חׇכְמָ֣ה וּבִינָ֗ה ר֤וּחַ עֵצָה֙ וּגְבוּרָ֔ה ר֥וּחַ דַּ֖עַת וְיִרְאַ֥ת יְהֹוָֽה׃
The spirit of the Eternal shall alight upon [future possibility]:
A spirit of wisdom and insight,
A spirit of counsel and valor,
A spirit of devotion and reverence for the Eternal.
Isaiah 11: 2
And then comes the prophet Zechariah at a time following the destruction of the first Temple when the people could return from exile and rebuild it. His words focus on the internal work for the people to gain their inner strength for the task ahead and future possibilities.
וַיַּ֜עַן וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלַי֙ לֵאמֹ֔ר זֶ֚ה דְּבַר־יְהֹוָ֔ה אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶ֖ל לֵאמֹ֑ר לֹ֤א בְחַ֙יִל֙ וְלֹ֣א בְכֹ֔חַ כִּ֣י אִם־בְּרוּחִ֔י אָמַ֖ר יְהֹוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת׃
Then he explained to me as follows:
“This is the word of the Eternal to Zerubbabel:
Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit
—said the Eternal.
This message calls to us for Chanukah as well. It is what we read for the holiday as we remember the defiled Temple rededicated at the time of the Maccabees. Their ability to rekindle Judaism ignited strength and courage they could have lost. This festival of lights reminds us of the power of the spirit we possess to celebrate and to rejoice with one another. Like a candle that lights another without itself being diminished, we are like Moses who finds support from others and yet grow stronger. Like Isaiah, whose image of the divine spirit brings forth wisdom, insight, counsel, valor, devotion, and reverence, we find that spirit, that ruach, to propel us forward. Like Zechariah, we watch the light of the Chanukiyah grow stronger because it is not by might and not through brawn that motivates but rather the sacred spirit within that glows with the beauty of Judaism and being Jewish together.
So let’s celebrate with one another tonight for Shabbat and the sixth candle of Chanukah. Let’s bring the light and the spirit together in joy, in song, in prayer, and in community: mixed presence: online and onsite.
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Sameah!
- Join us onsite or online for a festive Chanukah Shabbat! Together we will illuminate our communal space, bless our new members, and celebrate with reunion, song, ritual, and relationship as part of a national Chanukah Homecoming. An outdoor reception with hot cider and treats will begin at 5:15. Stay for a music-filled service at 6:00 p.m., followed by more Chanukah fun, with separate activities for kids and adults. And for folks who join us online, stay for an online community oneg after the service (and bring your latkes and candles!). Join us onsite or onsite or on Zoom, on Facebook Live, or stream on our website.
- Tot Rock Shabbat gathers on Zoom at 5:00 p.m.
- Torah Study will begin at 9:00 a.m. To join the conversation interactively, access Zoom here. You can also watch on Temple Israel’s website or on TI’s Facebook page.
- 10:00 a.m. Thank Goodness It’s Shabbat at Home. Register to join us on Zoom.
- Saturday’s Candle Lighting will take place at our Chanukah Sing-along and Havdalah at 7:15 p.m. Join on Zoom, or Facebook Live, or stream on our website.
- Mark your calendars for a Welcome Home Concert featuring Cantor Alicia Stillman with Cantor Roy Einhorn. Participate online or onsite. Register here. $36 suggested donation to the Friends Annual Fund.
Connect with me here. I look forward to corresponding with you and to hearing your thoughts.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Elaine Zecher