Page 46 - HaMizrachi Chanukah 5783 USA

Chanukah and The Hope

We Build Together

Personal Reflections on the

Life and Teachings of Rabbi Sacks

Jonny Lipczer

abbi Sacks was given many accolades, honors and turbulent times in which we are living, his perspective on cur-
titles. He was a lord and a professor. But the title that rent affairs would be profoundly affirming and filled with hope.
was most important to him was “Rabbi” – teacher.
RBecause teachers, education, synagogues and schools In the dark winter months, the Chanukah lights are one of
the great symbols of Jewish hope, illuminating the message
are the things that kept the Jewish spirit alive and Jewish of survival against all odds.
values burning throughout the centuries in an everlasting light.
The Greeks, Rabbi Sacks said, gave the world the concept of
He was passionate about education, and he always made time tragedy, while Jews gave it the idea of hope. You can’t have
for young people in particular. In the classroom, he’d stoop Judaism without hope.
down to their level, even sitting with them on the floor.
While discussing a fascinating Talmudic argument (Shabbat
A few years ago, my then seven-year-old son asked me a ques- 22a) about Chanukah, Rabbi Sacks drew out an incredible
tion about one of the biblical personalities. I didn’t know the message of hope:
answer, but I knew who would. I emailed Rabbi Sacks, and a Can you take one Chanukah light to light another? Usually,
few days later, I received a response by way of a WhatsApp voice of course, we take an extra light, the shamash, and use it to
note, spoken in his characteristically eloquent style, and at a light all the candles. But suppose we don’t have one. Can
level that my son could understand. He had a unique ability to we light the first candle and then use it to light the others?
be able to direct a message to any audience, regardless of their Two great Sages of the third century, Rav and Shmuel, dis-
age or background – and he embraced technology in ways few agreed. Rav said ‘No’. Shmuel said ‘Yes’. Normally we have a
religious leaders have, so that he could be more accessible to rule that when Rav and Shmuel disagree, the law follows
the people that matter. Rav. There are only three exceptions, and this is one.

Over the last two years we have missed Rabbi Sacks’ voice of Why did Rav say you may not take one Chanukah candle
moral clarity, his leadership and his wisdom. During these to light the others?

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