Sparks of Light: Second Night

Throughout the last couple of weeks, Chanukah “advertising” is everywhere. Everyone is excited; new Chanukah videos and songs are released and social media posts are many. I have always found it interesting that in preparing for Chanukah, none of the typical pre-chag kvetching accompanies it. No bemoaning cleaning the house, building sukkahs, and cooking for endless meals. What is it about Chanukah?

Chanukah is both literally and figuratively a light in the darkness. It’s been almost two months since the last Jewish holiday. The weather has gotten colder and the days shorter. Chanukah seems to always come exactly at the right time. It is there to re-energize and refocus us, rekindling our neshamot as we long to feel a closeness with Hashem. As the passuk in Mishlei 20:27 teaches us, Ner Hashem Nishmat Adam, the candle of G-d is the soul of man.

The Lubavitcher Rebbe explains that the spiritual message of Chanukah is reflected in the halachot that govern the mitzvah of lighting the candles. The lights should be kindled after sunset and burn into the night, and they also should be placed, ideally, outside the entrance of one’s home. These laws teach us that the primary goal of the candles is to illuminate the public domain, and not only one’s personal house. The Rebbe teaches that the darkness of night and the public domain represent the parts of our material existence which prevent us from seeing G-d’s light and the daily greatness of G-d. By lighting Chanukah candles, we are bringing light into the world, intent on revealing the beauty of Hashem in both our personal lives and the life of Am Yisrael.