Celebrate Chanukah through faith and actionShalom and welcome to Tikkun Tips, a bi-weekly nugget of Jewish eco-thought from your friends at the Teva Learning Center.
This week we celebrate the holiday of Chanukah. As we have all noticed, the days have been getting shorter and the darkness heavier. In fact, the week of Chanukah is the darkest week of the year, if you consider the minimal amount of moonlight in addition to the short days. In another example of how closely connected the Jewish calendar is to the natural world, we spend this week bringing light into the darkness. Each night we light a candle, and with each passing night, we bring in more and more light.
Chanukah is a holiday in which faith and action merge into one. The Maccabees were outnumbered, out-armed and were surrounded by assimilation. Yet they had faith that their path was correct. But faith alone is not enough. Using their beliefs as a source of strength, they fought and ultimately defeated their enemies. Their first action after victory was the rededication of the Temple, an act of Tikkun, repair.
As the story goes, they found only enough oil to burn in the Menorah for one day, yet somehow it lasted eight days. This Chanukah, we should learn from the example of the Maccabees. These can be dark times, full of violence, hatred, environmental degradation, and social injustice. And unfortunately, the attempts being made to solve these problems are largely grounded in oversimplification of these complex dilemmas.
But we have faith that our beliefs are just, and our voices will be heard. However, faith must be combined with action. We must take measures to affect change in this world. There are so many simple things we can do differently to this end. Here is one to start:
Chanukah Tikkun Tip: Change one light bulb in your house to a Compact Fluorescent Light bulb (CFL).
Did you know that if every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb, it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road! CFLs provide high-quality light, smart technology, and design, requiring less while lasting longer than typical incandescent bulbs.(Sorce: Energy Star) Sound familiar?
Yet lighting our candles is not sufficient. We are also instructed to place our chanukiot in the window so that others can see. This concept, pirsum hanes, publicizing the miracle, is a vital one, as it demonstrates the importance of spreading the message of faith and action throughout the world. So take your simple action and share it with your family, your friends, and even your enemies. Teach them what you have learned and guide them to teach others.
Faith and action.
Have a joyous Chanukah and may we share our light with the world!
Teva Learning Center
307 7th Ave Suite #900
New York, NY 10001
teva@tevacenter.org
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Want More?
For more eco-Chanukah ideas head over to
COEJL's Chanukah Page
To learn more about CFLs, their energy saving potential and where to get them, check out Energy Star and Bulbs.Com
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