One of our most beautiful rituals comes at the close of Shabbat, at Havdalah.  During that ritual we hold our hands up to the light of the braided candle and watch for the interplay of light and darkness.  The light casts shadows on our palms, across our fingers: Light and dark merge in our hands.

These same intersections of darkness and light emerge each night of Hanukkah, when we light candles and place our hanukkiahs (Hanukkah menorah) in dark windows.

This year, please take the time to watch the flickering of the candle flames against the sweet, rich darkness.  Sit not with separation and opposition, but with wholeness.  Honoring the interplay and interconnection of all things is necessary to the work of tikkun, of healing.

May you all be blessed on this first night of Hanukkah to stand conscious of the wholeness of the world despite our fractured times.  And may each and every one of you find healing in those tiny, fragile flames of Hanukkah.

Hag sameach,

Rabbi Barbara

P.S. On the first night three brachot, all three blessings are recited. L’hadlik ner shel Chanukah, She’ asa nissim, and Shehecheyanu. .. For a link to these blessings, click here.  On the other nights only the first two blessings are chanted.  Blessings are recited before lighting the candles. Al always, we don’t speak between a blessing and its corresponding action, so after singing, just let the blessing seep in as you light your candles!