Pirsumei Nisa – Proclaiming the Miracle.

The following was a piece I wrote for the Chanukah edition of the Las Vegas Israelite. After the events of this week, I think it is more poignant than ever.

Pirsumei Nisa – Proclaiming the Miracle.

There are many themes associated with Chanukah. We celebrate the miracle of the oil and the defeat of Antiochus IV and the Seleucid Greeks. We rejoice in the idea of using the Menorah’s candles to illuminate darkness. But one theme speaks to me especially this year: pirsumei nisa, Aramaic for proclaiming the miracle.

There are many rabbinic laws about the Menorah. We learn which materials may be used for the lights, how many candles to light each night, and in what order, and the minimum time they must burn. One rule that stands out is where to place the Menorah. The Talmud in Tractate Shabbat tells us it is a mitzvah to place the Menorah at the entrance to the house, on the outside, so that the miracle is seen publicly.

In today’s climate of heightened antisemitism, many of us think twice about displaying our menorot in windows. Some hide jewelry with Jewish symbols. Some wear hats instead of visible kippot. Some avoid clothing that displays Hebrew or Jewish imagery. How many of us feel comfortable showing the burning candles of the Menorah in our windows?

The story of Hanukkah teaches us to stand up to hatred and oppression. The command to place the Menorah publicly urges us to take pride in our faith. We must meet fear with courage and let our Judaism be seen.

This year, light the candles not only to recall a long-ago miracle, but to declare today that darkness will not have the last word. Let our Menorot burn bright in our windows and in the world.

Wishing everyone a Chag Urim Samayach, a happy Hannukah.

Shabbat Shalom,

rabbi Bradley Tecktiel