Last week, I received the following email:
“Rabbi Uriel Vigler,
“You are invited to an exclusive private screening of unfiltered footage from the events of October 7th. We believe your presence at this screening is invaluable, considering your influence and impact. Your insights and perspective on this matter are highly regarded and would contribute significantly to the discussion.”
I took the weekend to think about it, and after careful reflection I declined. I simply cannot handle the close-up look at the atrocities. It’s just too painful.
And yet, my thoughts are constantly on Israel. My mind is in Gaza with the soldiers; my heart is in the tunnels with the hostages.
When we consider the reality right in front of us, it’s hard not to despair. Israel is surrounded by enemies who seek her demise, soldiers are being killed every day, and Jews globally are the target of increasing antisemitism and disdain.
Today marks exactly 2 months since the October 7 war began. We are angry! What can we do? We want to roll up our sleeves and do something—anything—to make a difference.
Tonight is the first night of Chanukah! How do we mark the holiday? What do we do to commemorate the victory of the few against the many, the weak against the strong? We light the menorah, because a small amount of light dispels great swaths of darkness.
And indeed, we are currently in very dark times. Lies and accusations and undeniable pure Jew-hatred. It’s on social media, it’s on the streets, it’s in our businesses and places of work. But we know that the darkness time of night is just before dawn breaks, and the darkest part of our exile will be right before Moshiach comes.
So tonight, as you light the menorah, gaze deeply into the flames and see just how brightly it burns.
That is us—a nation of light. We shine! Our strength lies in light, in positivity, in love, laughter and G-dliness. In life. And that is why our enemies will never defeat us.
Happy Chanukah.