The candle light shone softly, but lit up the centuries and struggles of my whole people. Around the world million of Jews relive the joy of the lights. The Temple re-sanctified and pure and dedicated by the light of the one menorah of sanctified oil. The problem was, the light must burn for eight days and there was only the one day's worth of sanctified oil. Determined to receive the blessings of the Temple in their lives once more, the priests prayed over the oil and then took a leap of faith and lit the menorah. The oil burned strongly for an entire day...but what is this? It did not stop burning and it was into the second day. The High Priest had sent to a small sea-side town where a stash of sanctified oil had been buried, but it was an eight day trip, or more, and fraught with dangers, so the High Priest led the people in prayer that the light might stay burning until the new oil could be brought to the Temple. The light of the Menorah remained burning and finally on the eighth day, the Holy of Holys was rededicated to the Lord and the Temple could be used for ceremonies and sacrifices to The Holy One, Blessed be He.
The last night of Channukah is a very special night because it was the answer to the Israelites prayers that the oil in the lamp burn for the eight days needed to sanctify the Temple, and because on the eighth day the Holy of Holys was dedicated and sanctified and the ritual for sanctifying the Temple was complete. Shortly thereafter, the runners with the sanctified oil arrived at the Temple and so they continued to have light and now that the Temple was Holy once more, the High Priest could sanctify more oil. The re-dedication of the Temple, after its defilement by pagan worship of Greek gods, occurred in 165 b.c.
It is useful to note that Rabbi Yeshuah, Jesus, celebrated Channukah in his home and in the Temple. Therefore, enjoy the miracle of the lights as a story for all spiritual people around the world. It is truly a story of shining your inner light even when the road ahead seems improbable to you; have faith that God will provide and you will be blessed with all that you ask of Him. The Miracle of the Lights was given as a blessing to all humankind.
* * *
The party at the Ritz went very well. It was beautiful and had great food and a lot of it, but the drinks were water and Coca Cola, and there were no games. It turns out that the purpose of the party is to shmooze your neighbors and that it did remarkably well. I even met an author that lives on the 16th floor and he was very exciting to talk to. It felt good to meet my neighbors and I made a whole new set of soon-to-be friends. It was a very eclectic group and I can see that it is going to be fun getting to know these people better.
But, all and all, the best part of the day was sharing Channukah with David and William. Playing the Dreidle game, William won $5.00 and all of the pennies-358 of them which is the numerical value of the letters on the dreidle. And we exchanged gifts and just enjoyed each others company.
I wish you the many blessings of this season of the year and particularly the blessings of family and friends. God be with you and keep you safe and well.
The last night of Channukah is a very special night because it was the answer to the Israelites prayers that the oil in the lamp burn for the eight days needed to sanctify the Temple, and because on the eighth day the Holy of Holys was dedicated and sanctified and the ritual for sanctifying the Temple was complete. Shortly thereafter, the runners with the sanctified oil arrived at the Temple and so they continued to have light and now that the Temple was Holy once more, the High Priest could sanctify more oil. The re-dedication of the Temple, after its defilement by pagan worship of Greek gods, occurred in 165 b.c.
It is useful to note that Rabbi Yeshuah, Jesus, celebrated Channukah in his home and in the Temple. Therefore, enjoy the miracle of the lights as a story for all spiritual people around the world. It is truly a story of shining your inner light even when the road ahead seems improbable to you; have faith that God will provide and you will be blessed with all that you ask of Him. The Miracle of the Lights was given as a blessing to all humankind.
* * *
The party at the Ritz went very well. It was beautiful and had great food and a lot of it, but the drinks were water and Coca Cola, and there were no games. It turns out that the purpose of the party is to shmooze your neighbors and that it did remarkably well. I even met an author that lives on the 16th floor and he was very exciting to talk to. It felt good to meet my neighbors and I made a whole new set of soon-to-be friends. It was a very eclectic group and I can see that it is going to be fun getting to know these people better.
But, all and all, the best part of the day was sharing Channukah with David and William. Playing the Dreidle game, William won $5.00 and all of the pennies-358 of them which is the numerical value of the letters on the dreidle. And we exchanged gifts and just enjoyed each others company.
I wish you the many blessings of this season of the year and particularly the blessings of family and friends. God be with you and keep you safe and well.
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