One of the favorite moments of my day is walking out to my mailbox, usually before dawn, to get the Peninsula Daily News.
In the dark winter mornings when it’s clear, I am awed at the gorgeous brilliance of the star-filled sky.
I often just stop, look up and quietly say “Baruch Hashem,” blessed be The Name, for being gifted this stunning view of the heavens.
It’s mostly quiet, but I can often hear the distant sound of a barking dog, or the morning announcement of the new day by the neighborhood roosters.
And then there is the owl that often sits in my big cedar tree with its repeated hoots. This is always so magical that I stand very still so I can listen for the next call.
These sounds heighten my awareness of the abundance of life that surrounds me in the darkness.
I even enjoy this short walk in inclement weather, feeling the rain on my face or walking through the freshly fallen snow.
I feel connected with God’s world and appreciate the beauty of the dark.
Too often, we see darkness as forbidding, feeling safe by staying in our warm, well-lit houses until dawn.
I understand the suffering of many from Seasonal Affective Disorder, and we must not trivialize the depression that can accompany the onset of winter for them.
However, there can be much to appreciate about the shortening days and long nights.
Seeing all the lights on people’s homes, the beautiful downtown sidewalks and the stunning display of the Jamestown Tribe along U.S. Highway 101 is a reminder of how we spread light in the darkness.
For millennia, people have brought light into their lives at this time, and every faith tradition has ceremonies centered on light when the darkness increases.
Because the Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, people assume that this is the darkest time of the year.
However, our night sky may be brilliantly lit by the moon on that night, as will be the case this year when the full moon comes three days before the Solstice.
Thus, this is not always the darkest time.
The Jewish holiday of Chanukah begins when the new moon is closest to the Solstice, which means the night sky will be utterly dark, therefore being truly the darkest time of the year
I remember on the second day of Chanukah this year, while walking out to get the paper, I looked up at the very dark sky and saw a sliver of the moon.
It gave me hope because it reminded me that we had now passed the darkest time of the year, and it would not be this dark again for an entire year.
Jews often joke that during Chanukah, we bring back the light as more candles are lit each night.
It seems as if we are coaxing back the light of the growing moon.
Rather than dreading or fearing the dark, we should use this time to think about other ways we can bring light into our world, and remember what we are taught in Rabbi Yael Levy’s interpretation of Psalm 112: “Light shines in the darkness, lights of graciousness, compassion and justice.”
What can we do to end the darkness that seems to have descended over so many who feel emboldened to spew bigoted words at those around them over differences of opinion?
How can we lift the darkness that seems to be hovering over our country with increasing violence or the rapid spread of misinformation?
How can we give light to those in poverty, the hungry, the refugees, or those who are alone and desperate?
As we celebrate this time of year, each in our own way, we must look at what our religious traditions teach us about also ending these kinds of darknesses.
Candles and pretty lights bring us joy, but maybe this is the time to make sure we bring light to the world with our acts of kindness and love.
Rabbi Levy shares her thoughts on how the miracle of the Chanukah story can feed our spirits and give us hope that things can change.
“Chanukah urges us to call on the power of the spirit and keep rising even when so much feels lost. Do not get stuck in despair. A small act brings great goodness. Our words and deeds shine beyond what we are able to see. Chanukah urges us to have faith in times of great turmoil and be nourished by each other’s goodness, love and light. Miracles abound and just because we can’t see our way beyond turmoil and destruction, it does not mean transformation cannot come to be. Let the Chanukah flames we kindle this year represent the sacred rising from ruin, let the light declare that love, justice and healing will shine.”
May your celebrations during this time be joyous and full of hope, and may you always be a shining light in our world.
Kein yehi ratzon … may it be God’s will. Shalom.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Suzanne DeBey is a lay leader of the Port Angeles Jewish community. Her email is debeyfam@olympus.net.
