Chanukah, the Lamp and the Soul
כִּֽי־אַתָּ֥ה נֵירִ֖י יְהֹוָ֑ה
וַיהֹוָ֖ה יַגִּ֥יהַּ חׇשְׁכִּֽי׃
You, O HaShem, are my lamp;
And he HaShem lights up my darkness.
2 Samuel 22:29
נֵ֣ר יְ֭הֹוָה נִשְׁמַ֣ת אָדָ֑ם חֹ֝פֵ֗שׂ ...
The lifebreath of man is the lamp of the HaShem
Proverbs 20:27
Tonight, the first candle of Chanukah will be lit. One more candle every day. In remembrance of the the miracle of the oil jar. A jar of oil that was enough to keep the Temple Menorah burning for 1 day, but with HaShem's help kept burning for 8 days. Exactly the time it took to make new suitable oil.
Noahides are allowed to light the Chanukah, but not because it is a (rabbinic) commandment, but rather for the practical purpose of making known the overt miracles of the One G-d.
For how great is the miracle that the Light of Torah will always overcome the darkness of secular, idolatrous, Hellenistic societies.
1 Jar - normally insufficient - was enough to bring about this miracle. Man starts what he can, HaShem finishes where we cannot.
Similarly, this happens to our souls. Our soul is called a Lamp of HaShem. Everything is there, the holder, the wick, the oil, the fire. It is up to us to let the fire flare up and grow bigger, to connect our soul to HaShem in the best way possible. And where we do not succeed sufficiently in this, despite our efforts, He will help.
Noahides may light the Chanukah in the same ways as Jews, but without saying the accompanying blessing. After lighting the candle(s), Psalms (any of chapters 30, 33, 67, 91, 133) may be said.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
Sources
Guidelines for Hanukkah candle lighting by Noahides Flames by Rabbi DovBer of Lubavitch
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