Hanukkah's Value

     Value is arbitrary. That is to say, the value we place on something is totally subjective. Nothing tangible has any intrinsic value.

      For instance. The reason gold is worth lots is because there is not an abundance of it and people want it. If people were not willing to pay for it, it would be worthless.

     For instance. Even money has absolutely no value. If we were to stop using it and instead bartered for our needs (or used ‘bitcoins’), the dollar bills would be only good for wallpapering our homes.

     Oil has value only because it is needed in our machine-based society. If we gave up on all forms of power that require petroleum-based products oil would be left to sit in the ground.

     Our holidays celebrate concepts. Think of it: we recall the Exodus at Pesah so that we will remember the value of freedom. We observe Shavot to be conscious of the value of the Torah and its morality. The High Holy Days are about Teshuva and Sukkot tells us about nature and the impermanence of things.

     What is Hanukkah about? Hanukkah’s concept is about hope and deliverance. The Festival of Lights occurs in the deepest folds of cold winter. We light candles in our home to dispel of darkness, the gloom. How much light does it take to chase away darkness? Only a tiny flame.

     Hanukkah is about the despair and forgotten people who discovered a tiny bottle of oil, which infused their hearts with hope. The message of Hanukkah is clear: Never are you alone and there is always hope for tomorrow. These are the values that buoy and sustain us. We as Jews, need to covet these with more fervor than “things”

A Joyful Festival of Lights to you and your family.