Chanukah and Freedom In Today's World

 


Dear Friends,

As we celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah I wanted to share a couple thoughts about religious freedom.

I wonder how many of us feel that we are really free to express our opinions about key issues facing Jews and Israel..  Many  of us are concerned about antisemitism and we are aware of the increase in acts of antisemitism in today's world.

What I want to write about is whether we are allowing each other to be free to express diverse opinions.  We know that families and friends are facing crises in their relationships because of social media posts and other statements about current conditions in Israel today.

As I think about these challenges, I have turned to the lyrics from Light One Candle by Peter, Paul, and Mary. Please note the lyrics below and particularly those that are in red.  (Btw, you may  want to search for a link to listen to them sing the song.  It is very nostalgic for those of us who grew up listening to and watching Peter, Paul, and Mary)

As we think about these issues we need to establish what our commitment is to ALL who  are suffering and our commitment to those who have died so that they have not died in vain.

These are not easy questions to address and I hope that in the coming days we will give each other safe space to talk about our views about the future of Israel and our safety as members of the Jewish people.

Chag Chanukah Sameach, Happy Chanukah,

Rabbi Bruce Aft


Lyrics
Light one candle for the Maccabee childrenWith thanks that their light didn't dieLight one candle for the pain they enduredWhen their right to exist was deniedLight one candle for the terrible sacrificeJustice and freedom demandBut light one candle for the wisdom to knowWhen the peacemaker's time is at hand 
Don't let the light go out!It's lasted for so many years!Don't let the light go out!Let it shine through our hope and our tears. (2) 
Light one candle for the strength that we needTo never become our own foeAnd 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 
Don't let the light go out!It's lasted for so many years!Don't let the light go out!Let it shine through our hope and our tears. (2) 
What is the memory that's valued so highlyThat we keep it alive in that flame?What's the commitment to those who have diedThat we cry out they've not died in vain?We have come this far always believingThat justice would somehow prevailThis is the burden, this is the promiseThis is why we will not fail! 
Don't let the light go out!Don't let the light go out!Don't let the light go out!

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Peter Yarrow

As we think about  our commitment  to all who  are suffering and our commitment to those who have died so that they have not died in vain.

These are not easy questions to address and I hope that in the coming days we will give each other safe space to talk about our views about the future of Israel and our safety as members of the Jewish people.

Chag Chanukah Sameach, Happy Chanukah,

Rabbi Bruce Aft

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