12/15/2025
Shining Light into the Darkness 🕎
As many of us kindled the lights of our chanukiahs tonight, the brightness of those flames were dimmed by the horrific, anti-semitic attacks that occurred around the world today. From Australia to the Netherlands and closer to home in Redlands, we are all reeling from the loss of life and shattered sense of security to merely exist as Jews today.
Like you, I was devastated by what feels like an all too often occurrence in Jewish communities around the globe. I took a walk to clear my head this evening. I walked by a few houses with chanukiahs in the window. It made me smile and gave me a glimmer of hope. I was reminded of a picture I saw many years ago online. It was a picture taken in the 1940s of a chanukiah in a window with a N**i banner hanging in the background. I’ve attached it to this message; maybe you’ve seen it too.
In the Talmud it states the Chanukah lights should be placed where they can be seen by others, like a window. This practice is known as pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle. We must continue to let the world know miracles do happen. And we cannot succumb to fear or intimidation in that process, nor allow ourselves to become passive observers of such heinous acts. This year, we must temper our sadness with joy, yet remain vigilant and supportive of our Jewish heritage and community. We spill drops of wine during Passover to remember the suffering of others, we break a glass at weddings to remember the destruction of The Temple, we say kaddish during festivals to remember loved ones. And this year we will celebrate and mourn concurrently.
For the remaining nights of Chanukah, I invite you to hold the memories of those lost today in your hearts and to treat each candle with a dual purpose: a candle for chanukah and a yahrzeit candle. May we continue to be an ohr lagoyim, a light unto the nations, as we inspire others with our courage and perseverance in the face of adversity.
- Rabbi Cantor Kyle Cotler
