In the immortal words of Adam Sandler, “8 Crazy Nights….”

Chanukah is here, and however you spell it, it is our time to light candles for eight nights to commemorate…what? Yes, we know the story of how one day’s oil burned for eight nights as a sign from Hashem, but what does it really mean, this Chanukah celebration?

The kids get some gifts, we light the menorah, say some prayers, and play dreidel games. While it occurs around the same time our Christian friends celebrate their holiday, and we all see the decorations and lights our Gentile society enjoys, we celebrate the Festival of Lights.

I remember being in Israel a few years ago, sitting in a café on the beach in Tel Aviv, and watching workmen building something in the distance that I could not quite figure out at first. When I came back a day or two later, it was apparent they were building a giant menorah on the beach! It was something to behold that you could see from miles away.

We left Tel Aviv for several days and returned to see the magnificent menorah illuminating the sky and the beach in Tel Aviv; it was an awesome sight to see. I wanted to know more about the story of Chanukah. I get that miracles happen and that Hashem has helped the Jewish people survive in the desert for 40 years, provided sustenance, and gave us the Torah, but what of this holiday? We don’t have special services in shul compared to many other holidays. So what are we to think of this?

There are stories of how the illuminations helped the Jewish people communicate in biblical days. There is also, of course, the miracle of the oil lasting eight days and nights. But it must be more than that, for Hashem has something to teach us in all his words and deeds.

Being a Zayde, I contemplate how to make these ideas something I can teach my grandchildren and children, and, yes, even adults, both Jews and Gentiles. Sure, we can make a holiday, a celebration, a dinner, and play some games, but there must be more.

My conclusion is that adding light during the shortest days of the year (which means during the longest nights of the year) is Hashem’s way of helping us once again during the darkest times of our lives. Hashem is there for us in our darkest days. He is there for us as a shining beacon of hope and faith. He wants us to bring light into the world, even on the darkest of days.

In fact, I believe each of us is a beacon of light that shines in perpetuity. A light of love, hope, and peace to share with the world. Chanukah is a symbol of the light that shines within each of us. A light we are responsible to share with the world to make the world a better place.

Be the light for your family, friends, and community. That light comes in many forms – as a smile for a stranger, as a random act of kindness, and as a belief that each of us has the light of Hashem within us to share with everyone we encounter.

So, as you light the Chanukah candles, give some thought to those less fortunate, to those who feel engulfed by darkness and bring light into your life and to those around you. Let us show our children how the Jewish people are chosen to spread the light of Hashem for all to see.

Happy Chanukah!

Vito Simone is a local resident, home renovation expert, and a Zayde to Zev and Leo. You can find his professional business online at www.TodaysHomeRenovations.com. Comments are welcome below or you can email Vito at [email protected] or call him at 410-952-5595 with blog comments or ideas, or for more information about Today’s Home Renovations.