Mrs. Rina Deutsch
Judaic Studies

These last eight nights have flown by, each adding a little more light to the world than there was the night before. Through it all, it was the Shamash that lit the way. The first candle to be kindled, and the one that shared its own flame with every other wick it touched. The Shamash is set apart from the other eight lights, but it’s not better than them. In fact, it is meant to give of itself to them. It has a special place and a unique role among the other Chanukah lights because it is meant to light them up. 

In fact, even its placement on the Menorah itself sets the Shamash apart. It cannot be in line with the other candles; above, below, in front, or behind, anything that makes it perfectly clear that the Shamash isn’t one of the other lights. It is distinct in its positioning and in its purpose. Though they are all holy, and beautiful, there is no other candle on the Menorah that can do what the Shamash can. 

This resonates on both a personal and national level. Each one of us is a Shamash in our own way. We are each unique, lovingly brought into this world by HaShem to fulfill a role, to perform a purpose no one else can. No matter what darkness may engulf us or how brightly and beautifully the other neshamot around us flicker and shine, we must never forget that we have a singular role that can only be played by us. 

Part of that role is to help kindle the lights of those around us, to raise, strengthen, encourage, comfort, and otherwise brighten the lives of the people we come in contact with. The Shamash seems to abide by Hillel’s maxim “Im ein ani li, mi li” – if I don’t fulfil my role as the only utilitarian candle, who else will – “Uk’she ani l’atzmi, mah ani?” – but if I keep my flame only for myself, what purpose do I ultimately serve? This candle is a timely reminder to never forget our power and mission, no matter how dark things may seem or how bright others shine.

On a national level, Isaiah prophesied, “It is too little that you should be My servant … I will also make you a light of nations that my salvation may reach the ends of the earth”. The Jewish people are the Shamash of the world. Our national, utilitarian role is to light the way for others to follow. We may have a special place and a unique responsibility in this world, but as Rabbi Jonathan Sacks zt”l so eloquently put it, “The way of Judaism is particular, but the concern of Judaism is universal.” 

Our place and role are not meant to elevate just us, they are meant to elevate the entire world. In the same way that the Shamash is meant to be distinct from the other candles, we must remember that the Jewish people must be distinct from the world around us as well. This isn’t an exercise in elitism but rather an understanding that if we are to play our part, we need to remember what it is. It doesn’t serve us, or anyone else for that matter, to learn everyone else’s lines and forget our own.

It is our distinction, our ability to stand with the rest of the candles of the world but in our own particular position which has ensured that more than 2000 years after the first Chanukah we continue lighting a full menorah, blazing a light out to the world saying we are still here and we will be the Shamash we are meant to be. May this Chanukah be one over which we have come to see the sparks of our personal and national light that much more clearly so we can continue to shine it for the rest of the year.

Shayna Mammon
Grade 11 Student, Ulpanat Orot

There is a famous debate in the Talmud regarding whether or not you can use one of the Chanukah candles to light another candle. Supposing we don’t have an extra light (the shamash), can we use the first candle to light another? 

Rav and Shmuel argue about this topic, where Rav says no and Shmuel says yes (Shabbat 22a). Why not? Rav believes that when you use a light to light another, you diminish the light of the first candle. In the Gemara, for cases like this where Shumuel and Rav disagree, we usually would follow Rav—except for three areas, and this is one of the exceptions. Why does the law follow Shmuel?

Rabbi Sacks zt’’l brings a meaningful explanation to answer this question, and compares the two lights to two Jews. A person might say that he should not get involved with the other Jew who is less observant, as this might lower the standards he personally keeps and his light will be diminished—just like when you share the light of a candle, one candle is lessened by spilling the wax or oil. 

Shmuel teaches us that when a Jew uses the light of his faith and lights up someone else’s life, his Jewishness is not diminished and it only grows stronger. By sharing one Jewish light, it creates more Jewish light in the world. As a Jew, it is important to remember that when you share your spirituality, faith, and knowledge, it does not mean you have less; it means you have gained more. 

We are now living in times where the Jewish community is divided. Doing one act of Judaism for another Jew makes us stronger and brings us closer together. This Chanukah we should all try to share our wisdom and faith with our fellow Jews. As Rabbi Sacks zt’’l once said: “Take the flame of your faith and help set other souls on fire.”

Chag Chanukah Sameach!