Praise be to You, Adonai, Ruler of the universe, Creator of darkness and light.
We sing of Your glory l’dor v’dor –from generation to generation–in quiet prayer and in roaring celebration.
Tonight, as we light the candles, we remember that even a dark, desecrated place can be rededicated to You.
There is nowhere Your light does not reach, no darkness that is beyond You.
The cracks in our broken hearts let the light in; they make space for growth, renewal, and healing.
This HanukkahThe holiday which celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem following its conquest by the Syrians in 165 BCE. The holiday is celebrated by lighting candles in a hanukiyah oon each of eight nights. Other customs include the eating of fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot (jelly donuts), playing dreidl (a gambling game with a spinning top), and, in present day America, gift giving., we rededicate ourselves to You in worship and in study, in thought and in deed, in joy and in hardship, working towards devekut–deepening our connection with You–for all time.
Amen.
