I must preface this by saying I am devastated to hear about the recent antisemitic attacks in Sydney, Australia. What was supposed to be a day of celebration of faith and love for the city’s Jewish community turned into a horrific massacre that further fuels the skyrocketing antisemitism around the world that needs to cease. I send my utmost condolences to all the victims of the shooting and their families, and peace and strength to all those of the Jewish faith affected by prejudice.

It’s why I chose this poem below. That last stanza hits harder now than it did before.

A Hanukkah Prayer for a Time of Darkness
by Marla Baker

Creator of All,
In the beginning You made the night sky luminous with the light of the moon and the stars and
You made the daytime bright with the light of the sun and
Saw that it was good.

And You created human beings in Your own image, with capacity
To distinguish dark from light, with capacity
To create holy sparks, see into the shadows and
Shine light where it is dark.
And You saw that it was very good.

Creator of All and Rock of Ages,
In the time of the Maccabees once more You worked a miracle of light,
Permitting our ancestors to rededicate holy space.
And it lasted eight days and eight nights.
Creator of All and Rock of Ages,

In the dark of night, at the darkest time of year
We light candles in remembrance of the miracle,
One more each night until there are eight.

Creator of All and Rock of Ages,
Too many lights have been extinguished.
The world has grown too dark.
Creator of Light and Dark,
Teach us once more to see into the shadows,
To shed our light in all the dark corners and to
Create holy sparks for all humankind
So that once more we can say
It is very good.

******

Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate. ✡️🕎❤️

Poem courtesy of this site