There is something beautiful about the last night of Chanukah. All the candles are lit. It feels like the Festival of Light has reached its potential. The full menorahs challenge us to strive to reach ours.
In Chasidic thought, there is the idea of “Zot Chanukah – Zot v’od acheret.” This has been Chanukah, but there is more of to come. As Chanukah ends, there is a directive that all that we celebrated for the past 8 days continue in some form beyond the holiday.
Chanukah must make an impression.
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| Snow angel I made yesterday in Central Park |
As Chanukah concludes, we hold fast to the memories. At the same time, Chanukah should change us.
The Chasidic master Rebbe Shlomo of Karlin (1740-1792) had a personal custom to light with wax candles on Chanukah. He felt that when the wax drips and the liquid hardens, an imprint is made that lasts well beyond the eight days of Chanukah, whereas oil simply burns and nothing of it remains. Wax candles symbolize the lesson that Chanukah must make a lasting impression on the soul.
One year he was unable to acquire the wax candles, and he used oil instead. It happened that, one night, the menorah tipped over, and a small fire started that was quickly extinguished. It did, however, leave a dark burn mark on the wall. Reb Shlomo was actually pleased with this development since, once again, Chanukah had left its mark.
How will this Chanukah leave its mark on us? What did we learn? Which additional insight will shed light on the coming months? Which gift we gave or got will remind us to be kind, to be attentive, or to be more supportive of others?
Chanukah is ending. How will the light shine on?
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