Sometimes Lighting Chanukah Candles Leaves Us in the Dark

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Despite the fact that the observance of Chanukah revolves around the lighting of candles in the menorah, often Jews find themselves in the dark when it comes to making this holiday meaningful and spiritual. Much like Christmas, Chanukah has become a holiday about consumerism rather than about God, miracles and struggles for religious freedom.

Just as the Maccabi's fought back against the Syrians desire to assimilate them into their way of life and their religious practices, Jews today must continue struggling to retain their religious and spiritual beliefs and practices. At no time is this more apparent than during the holiday season, when everywhere Jews turn they are bombarded by the consumerism of Christmas, which seems to far outweigh its spiritual or religious meaning and context. Yet, it is possible to instill the lighting of the Chanukah candles with meaning and to make this a spiritual ritual for the whole family.

In fact, Chanukah was never about giving gifts. Traditionally, teachers received "gelt," or money, at this time of year to show appreciation for their contribution to children's education. Occassionally students also received gelt. This explains why many Jews give gold-foil covered chocolate "coins" on this holiday.

To make your Chanukah ritual meaningful, prior to the first night of Chanukah research why this holiday is observed and what it really is about. Try to find some aspect of the holiday that has personal meaning for you. Also, know exactly how to light the candles and say the prescribed blessings. Then, when you light the candles and say the blessings, keep this meaning in mind.

To make the experience spiritual, create a sacred space within which to set your chanukiah, the special menorah used on this holiday. This can be as simple as placing a special table cloth on the table, burning incense in the room, or saying a prayer invoking the Divine Presence to join you for this ritual.

Also, spend some time with your family in the light of the candles. The light is said to have a spiritual quality all its own, so basking in it can be quite a spiritual experience all its own. Many people like to meditate on the flames, which seem to be reaching up to God.

Also, Chanukah, a time when we commemorate the miracle of a small jug of oil burning not for just one day but for eight and a small army defeating a large one, supposedly is a time when we can access the energy of miracles. If we sit in the light of the candles and meditate on the miracles we would like to create in our lives, as well as in the world, we have a higher likelihood of actually manifesting them.

So don't spend another Chanukah lighting candles every night in an empty and meaningless manner. Take the time to put some thought and preparation into the ritual. Instead of getting caught up in the buying frenzy of other winter holidays, spend time contemplating how to make your holiday meaningful and spiritual. By utilizing some of these techniques, tools and activities, this Chanukah, you can transform your holiday observance into a meaning-full and spirit-full one.