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By: Rivka C. Berman, Contributor Click Here for More Holiday Articles
The Maccabees fought for the freedom to believe and live as they pleased without bowing to tyranny of the majority Helenist culture. Freedom of expression is fragile, even when enshrined in legal documents. · Second Night: A Light for Tolerance On every night of Chanukah a different number of candles is lit, but is one night better than the other? Appreciating differences is a gift. Tolerating differences is an art. · Third Night: A Light for Peace The world is supported by three principles: law, truth and peace. (Ethics of Our Fathers) Peace. Shalom. "Shalom" is derived from the word for wholeness "sha-lem." Only with peace can our fractious world become whole. The way to peace is long and sometimes difficult, however it does begin with one kind word. · Fourth Night: A Light for Courage Who is mighty? The one who overcomes base inclinations. (Ethics of Our Fathers) The Maccabees battled a powerful army - and won, against all odds. Their might and their courage was derived from a passionate belief in the rights of man to worship, believe, and learn. · Fifth Night: A Light for Knowledge Why did the Maccabees bother? What was so attractive and important about Judaism that they were willing to risk their lives to protect? Solve the mystery by making a point of getting involved in or expanding your Jewish learning time. · Sixth Night: A Light for Tzedakah - Charity Charity is a partial translation the Hebrew word tzedakah. The root sounds of tzedaka "tz-d-k" also form the word for justice. Giving of what you have to others is not just an act of love, as the Greek root of charity - caritas - would imply, but a matter of doing what is right. · Seventh Night: A Light for Responsibility In a society that worships "I, me, me, mine" how good are we at taking care of others' needs? "Others" may be as far as Botswana or as close your brother. · Eighth Night: A Light for Continuity Will your grandchildren be Jewish? Influence the future by being an active, readily identifiable Jew. Take one real step toward this goal tonight. Additional Spiritual Spins:
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