As we celebrate Chanukah, our story of liberation from oppression, it is fitting and proper that we remember those who were slaughtered on October 7.
It is also important, at the same time, to recall the admonition from our Passover Haggadah that the "custom of removing drops of wine from our cups reminds us of the misery the Egyptian people endured until Pharaoh released the Israelites from bondage. In this way we diminish our joy as we recount the suffering of the Egyptians.”
(The Open Door (2002, Central Conference of Rabbis), at p. 51)
And it is also important that we pay particular attention to two songs associated with Chanukah.
First, Light One Candle by Peter Yarrow, including the verse at the heart of the song:
Light one candle for the strength that we need
To never become our own foe
And light one candle for those who are sufferingPain we learned so long agoLight one candle for all we believe inThat anger not tear us apartAnd light one candle to find us togetherWith peace as the song in our hearts
Lyrics:
Not by might, & not by power,
But by spirit alone (“ruach!”)
Shall we all live in peace. (2X)
It may be that no song or prayer can encapsulate everything significant in this holiday. But we must try to keep all of our hopes in mind, and work for the future while we cope with the awful present.
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