Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on December 5, 2020

By Rabbi Marc Mandel| Newport Daily News

Can Hanukkah teach us anything about COVID- 19? Can we find inspiration and solace during these challenging times from a holiday that was established 2,000 years ago when the Maccabees lit the candles in the Temple?

The lights of Hanukkah take us back to the beginning moments of the universe and the creation of light. And God saw this light and it was good.For us, lighting a candle is a simple act. It only takes a few seconds. But, the lights remind us that its the small acts performed by regular people that change our world. Its the determination of everyday people to do good, and to be good, that transforms our society into a better world. Its not always the big events of our world that make the biggest change, but rather, like the increasing number of lights on Hanukkah each night, the steady accumulation of smaller acts that lead our world towards betterment. The message that Hanukkah can give to us during Covid 19 is not to be overwhelmed by the darkness that persists during this plague. We should have faith, like the Maccabees, that we will soon turn the corner on this dark year and we will succeed in fulfilling the original purpose of Creation, to bring light and progress to the world.

Happy Festival of Lights!

Rabbi MarcMandelis the rabbi at the Touro Synagogue in Newport, the oldest synagogue building in the United States. For more information please visitwww.tourosynagogue.org.ClergyCorner appears each week in The Daily News and online atnewportri.com.

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CLERGY CORNER: Shine the light - newportri.com

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