Hanukkah Gift to Job: Let There be Light

Holiday Greetings Friends - from Jerusalem

What does the story of Job have to do with the story of Hanukkah, and even Christmas, and what’s happening right here right now - as the unbearable war continues to claim so many lives and sow sorrow everywhere?

As we enter this Sabbath of Hanukkah, mid winter holiday season, and two weeks into the Book of Job on our Below the Bible Belt Journey to read the entire Hebrew Bible -- I want to dedicate this weekly video to the shared theme found in all these stories and all our lives, especially when dark days and nights of despair and uncertainty are so present.

In the Book of Job, we hear the cry of a person struggling to find light in the depths of darkness. Job is angry at the God who is testing him with suffering - but is also in awe of the grand mystery that “reveals the secrets from the darkness and brings the darkest depths into the light” -- These words remind us that even in the most profound struggles, from the longest nights -- there’s a potential for revelation—a glimmer of understanding, hope, and renewal.

And isn’t that also the essence of Hanukkah? Each night, as we light the candles, three tonight - we don’t dispel the dark or negate the magic of the darkness where the womb gives birth to life, but we add light to it—one brave little flame at a time. We are taught that these lights are sacred, not for practical use, but to remind us that the miraculous is in our hands too -- that even in challenging times, flames are small, and fragile, but fiercely powerful. Like activism, like resistance and resilience, like a smile on a crowded street, and like love.

Like Job, we are not always given answers. The darkness may persist, and our questions may remain unresolved. But the lesson of Hanukkah—and perhaps Job’s journey—is that even when the answers elude us, we can still choose to search for and bring on light. In any way we can.

Right now, as war and conflict weigh heavily on our hearts—here in the Middle East and across the world—we are called to be bearers of light. Like Job who refused to give up on seeking meaning, we too can refuse to give up on the belief that light can grow, and peace will prevail, even in the darkest of times.

As we enter this Shabbat, let’s commit to adding light—to our homes, our communities, and the world. One small act of kindness, one moment of gratitude, one flickering candle at a time. I’m heading down to the Woodstock Peace Festival in the desert where Israelis and Palestinians gather to see each other face to face and to persist for peace - and we will light the candles of hope together.

Thank you for joining me below the bible belt.

Let there be light. ليكن نور יהי אור

Oh and by the way - this brand new design I created can be yours! It’ll go on sale on January 1 on the Sabbath Queen Shop - with 10% to the Sulha Peace Project, bringing Israelis and Palestinians Together, face to face to build the bridges for the future. Get one and help bring light to the world. Links attached to this vid. Thank you.

Hopeful and Meaningful Hanukkah - Happy and Healing New Year!

Shabbat Shalom from my flame to yours.

Check out:

https://sabbathqueen.shop/

https://www.sulha.org.il/en

https://www.woodstocksalamshalom.com/english