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Share Your Light

Updated: Aug 11, 2021


Trays of tealight candles glow in the dark


Every few years, in youth group or at camp, a program will begin with everyone gathering in the dark. Each person receives a candle but only one person has a match. In the darkened room, no one can see anyone except, perhaps, the people right next to them. The match is struck and the first candle is lit. Now there’s a little more light around that one candle. But anyone further away can only really see the tiny flame dancing. Then that candle lights another, which lights another, which lights another. Soon, the flicker of candles fills the room and it’s not so dark anymore. The light spreads quickly when we’re together.


And here we are, once again coming to the darkest time of the year, but this time without the closeness of community. Not only are the nights long and the moon just a sliver, we don’t even have the opportunity to gather together to dispel the darkness. This season can be difficult during the best of times, and these are not the best of times.


Various traditions from around the Northern Hemisphere, including Judaism, offer opportunities and rituals to shed more light in the dark of winter. Our Chanukkah candles brighten our homes and our hearts alongside the other lights that decorate our neighborhoods. We may have to be at distance from our friends and family, but we can still share our light.


Make phone calls or write letters. Send a quick note to someone you haven't talked to in a while just to let them know you're thinking of them. It doesn’t take much for one candle to light another, so even small touches spread the light and love quickly. May each of us enjoy the brightness and warmth of our community.

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