Choosing Joy: A Hanukkah Reflection on Might and Love
Amidst the weight of war and uncertainty, choosing joy becomes an act of defiance, a lifeline tethering us to hope and the possibility of healing. This is not a permanent state; it will come in waves. But for this moment, let us commit to cultivating joy. We are on the 448th day of war, and the weight of it is immense. We pray and march and lobby and shout to the heavens for the release of our beloved hostages, and for the health and safety of our people.
All of this is true. And yet, Hanukkah offers us something essential — not just a fleeting sense of fun, but a necessity. Tonight, we light candles for Shabbat and for the third night of Hannukah. Each flame carries the power of our prayers, the persistence of our hope, and the resilience of our people. Multicolored candles join yellow ones crafted by the Bring Them Home Now families. This reality is not diminished or negated by our celebration of Hannukah. It resides within our hearts, a fierce commitment to our dignity, safety, and healing. We do not forget. And because we do not forget, we must also find space for joy. Without joy, we risk losing ourselves to despair.
As Shabbat and Hanukkah converge, we must hold both realities — the pain and the joy. Tonight, as we light the candles, we do so with intention. The smallest flame can illuminate vast darkness. My friend, Rabbi Adir Yolkut, shared a teaching from the Beit Avraham that resonates deeply with this intention, a piece of Torah that invites us to hold both strength and love.
In the Talmud, there is a disagreement between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai about how to light the Hanukkah candles. Beit Shammai begins with eight candles and decreases each night, reflecting the diminishing oil in the Temple. Beit Hillel begins with one candle and increases each night, reflecting the growing miracle. The Beit Avraham notes that If we add together the candles lit by each opinion over eight nights (9 candles/night), the total is the same: 72 candles. The numerical value of 72 in Hebrew corresponds to the word “love” (חסד), which serves as a profound reminder of the interplay between light and darkness, pain and joy, that we are called to hold together during Hanukkah.
This teaching invites us to see the coexistence of might (גבורה) and love (חסד). These energies, though distinct, are not opposites. They intertwine. Might provides structure; love infuses warmth. Together, they create wholeness. The strongest among us often embody both — gentle yet unyielding, kind yet resolute.
As we enter the third night of Hanukkah and this Shabbat of dreams and healing, let us hold it all. We are capable of holding it all. The light of the candles reminds us of our capacity to embrace both pain and joy, vigilance and softness. Each night, we add more light, following the wisdom of Beit Hillel. We bring more hope, more resilience into the world.
May this Hanukkah be a source of strength and love for us all. Let us each take a moment to reflect on how we can bring light into the lives of others, embracing both our shared pain and collective joy as a path toward healing and hope. May we feel the warmth of the candles not only on our faces but in our souls. Let the light permeate our being. Let it inspire us to action, to kindness, and to faith in the miracles yet to come. And may those who are missing return to us swiftly and safely. Amen.