What do all religions have that unites them? The common thread I have noticed through all is a sense of community and honoring of something greater then the self. What the higher ideal is goes by many names, but in accordance with that higher ideal is that there must be a community of support. As the Outsider I am witness to the beautiful communities I have taken part in.
What is Hanukkah? There are many legends behind the meaning of Hanukkah but the most famous one is the Maccabees. Maccabees leads a rebellion against the Roman oppression and manages to the Roman's out for a while. The Jewish Temple is then restored, but because of the war, there is not that much oil. The people light the candle anyway and then leave to get more oil. The people getting more oil come back in eight days and during that time the candles still burned. This is why there are 8 candles and then 1 candle representing the light that did not die that is used to light the other 8 candles.
Standing there with the people of all ages and different backgrounds in one of the classrooms on Evergreen Campus was powerful. I made a new friend and caught up with old friends. The food was delicious, the company was good and there was happiness in the eyes of everyone there.work I still had to do.
For me Hanukkah is about hope. The light could have died, and it did not. Though Roman oppression was not truly defeated by Maccabees he inspired the hope that someday, like the escape from Exodus, the people would be free from oppression once more. There is always hope that the light will shine another day.
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