As I was enjoying the peaceful snowfall today, I started pondering about Chanukah Season again. There is just something about a calm, quiet snowy day that gets me in a very pensive and spiritual mood. Since this snow day is on a weekend, I can actually enjoy it 😁

One thing about Chanukah that fascinates me as someone who is not Jewish, is the historical as well as spiritual significance of it. Often times when non-Jews hear about Chanukah or study it more in-depth, the content of the study can sometimes come across as focusing on the clashing of two different Cultures (The Greeks and the Jews). Historically speaking, this is true that during the time of the Maccabean Revolt the two main opposing Cultures that went to war with each other were the Greeks and the Jews because of great religious and political differences. Though I believe the historical context of Chanukah is important for us to understand, if we just leave it at that, I think we can miss a deeper spiritual understanding of what took place during that time. So then what else can non-Jews learn from Chanukah other than the historical context of it?

Disclaimer:

The below content is only my non-Jewish opinion and pensive thoughts about Chanukah for this year. Nothing more and nothing less. I am not Jewish, nor am I a professional scholar in this matter. The purpose of the below content I am writing is strictly in the context of me just sharing some of my nerdy thoughts about Chanukah. With that said, if you wish to continue reading, I hope that you enjoy that which is written.

As a Vietnamese American who enjoys studying Jewish Philosophy and Spirituality, I am absolutely fascinated by the spiritual teachings that revolve around Chanukah. Especially the message regarding LIGHT. First of all, I absolutely love the scientific study of light ("Photonic Physics" so to speak). Light has always fascinated me. The nature of it, how things are affected by it, the mystical and spiritual lessons a person can learn from it, etc... Thus, Chanukah being the Jewish Holiday about light(s) is a perfect fit for my nerdy self 🤓

As I understand it, the main message of Chanukah is about light. Specifically, us human beings embracing light and truth in moral righteousness and spiritually becoming lights for the world around us. What does this mean? What does "becoming lights around us" mean? As I understand it, the way we become lights to the world around us, is by ridding the darkness from within us. What darkness can we rid of within us? According to the Hebrew Bible, darkness can refer to any negative character trait within human beings that can cause barriers between us and The Almighty Creator God: The Creator of the Universe (or multiverse). So what are some things that the Hebrew Bible teaches regarding the darkness within the human heart? As I understand it, some traits that can be considered "darkness" are:

Theft Lust Anger Hate Spite Envy Jealousy Slander (Gossip) Hunger for Power Toxic Ideologies Vengeance Cruelty to animals and nature

The list goes on and on...

Thus, according to the Hebrew Bible and the teachings of the Jewish Culture, the traits listed above are the negative ones that can cause not only harm to society but also harm to one's own spiritual growth. Therefore, to battle those negative traits, we must replace those traits with their opposites.

For example:

Instead of theft, we exercise charity. Instead of lust, we learn to love and connect with each other in truth. Instead of anger, we pursue serenity. Instead of hate, we exercise compassion. Instead of spite towards others, we exercise forgiveness. Instead of envy, we should count our blessings and be grateful. Instead of jealousy, we should want good for others. Instead of slander (gossip), we should speak good about others. Instead of hungering for power, we should have humility. Instead of toxic ideologies, we should embrace healthy philosophies. Instead of vengeance, we should exercise justice. Instead of being cruel to animals and nature, we should care for them.

The above are some examples of "light" and good traits that can help us as humanity bring peace to the world around us. The more "light" that we "seed" into our souls and hearts, the more "light" that will shine from us. The more "light" that shines from within us, the more "light" we will be able to "ignite" in others around us for the greater good in moral righteousness. So then, how do we bring "light" to this world? As I understand it, we do so by looking within ourselves and seek to correct the negative traits within our hearts. Only by looking within ourselves and dispelling the darkness from within us with the "light" of good character traits can we truly bring light to this world. If we try to look at each other instead of looking within ourselves, we can actually bring damage to the world around us. By trying to "fix" other people around us with our own opinions and forcing our beliefs on others, we can actually damage the potential "light" in others around us. Furthermore, by not looking within ourselves in order to change the negative traits within ourselves first, we can become arrogant. However, if we humble ourselves before The Almighty Creator, we can nullify our egos. The more we nullify our egos, the more we dispel the darkness from within us. The more we dispel the darkness from within us, the more God's Light will shine inside of us. This fascinating philosophical and spiritual concept is what I absolutely love about Chanukah. As a non-Jew, I appreciate this concept as it has personally helped me to grow in my faith and belief in the Hebrew God.

In conclusion:

How does Chanukah personally help me to grow in my faith as a non-Jew? It does so by reminding me that Chanukah is not about the clashing of cultures (Greek vs Jew). Rather, it is about "darkness" vs "light". The idea of "darkness" vs "light" shows no favoritism to any Culture regardless of whether or not one is Hebrew/Jewish or Gentile (non-Jew). That is, "darkness" is "darkness" and "light" is "light". Right is right, and wrong is wrong. Period. If any culture embraces moral "darkness" they will bring harm to themselves and others. If any culture embraces "light", they will bring goodness to themselves and others. Therefore, I believe that the theme of Chanukah is about recognizing the difference between "light" and "darkness" and that we are to ignite the light within each of us in order to dispel all darkness from our souls and from the world.

Just as the Jewish people ignite a Chanukah candle each night during the eight days of Chanukah, may we as humanity be like the candles and ignite the light in others around us by first looking within ourselves and igniting the light inside of us.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this post. May you all be blessed during this Chanukah of 2022.

In context of Chanukah and the spiritual message of "light", the below Bible verse references that mention "the wicked" and "adversaries" could also refer to the negative traits that are within all humanity. The same traits that are the enemy of our souls and hinder our spiritual growth to connect to The Almighty Creator. I believe that this is the "enemy" that we all as humanity must destroy and conquer...

Psalm 27:1-4

(1) A Psalm of David. HaShem is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? HaShem is the strength of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?

(2) When the wicked, my enemies and my adversaries, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.

(3) Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war should rise against me, even then I will be confident.

(4) One thing have I desired of HaShem, that I will seek after; that I may dwell in the house of HaShem all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of HaShem, and to inquire in His temple.

Vietnamese Translation:

Thi-thiên 27:1-4

(1) Đức Chúa Trời (Đấng tạo Hóa) là ánh sáng và là sự cứu rỗi tôi: Tôi sẽ sợ ai? Đức Chúa Trời (Đấng tạo Hóa) là đồn lũy của mạng sống tôi: Tôi sẽ hãi hùng ai?

(2) Khi kẻ làm ác, kẻ cừu địch và thù nghịch tôi, xông vào tôi, Ðặng ăn nuốt thịt tôi, Thì chúng nó đều vấp ngã.

(3) Dầu một đạo binh đóng đối cùng tôi, Lòng tôi sẽ chẳng sợ; Dầu giặc giã dấy nghịch cùng tôi, Khi ấy tôi cũng có lòng tin cậy vững bền.

(4) Tôi đã xin Đức Chúa Trời (Đấng tạo Hóa) một điều, và sẽ tìm kiếm điều ấy!