There are many lessons that we can learn from the Hanukkah story. As the Maccabees, a small group of Jews, fought for their religious rights, we learn resiliency. The human spirit is often stronger than we realize, and we are capable of more than we imagine. From the Hanukkah story we also learn about acting in the face of uncertainty, being willing to use the jug of oil even though we know there’s not enough to last.
While we typically dismiss the dreidel as a silly children’s toy (when was the last time you played dreidel when there weren’t kids around?), I think these are actually the ideals that the dreidel embodies.
The dreidel spins around not knowing what is next. We never know what letter it will fall on or what the effect on us will be, yet each time, we pick up the dreidel and spin it again. Even after it falls down, we continue to play. Throughout the process, the dreidel teaches us how to make our way through life when there are ups and downs: we give to each other. There will be times where we ourselves are nourished and there will be times when we give to others, and that is what gets us through the highs and the lows.
Finally, the dreidel is a reminder, as the letters of the Israeli dreidel teach, nes gadol hayah po - a great miracle happened here. Every day is a miracle. Every time we are able to get up again, put one foot in front of the other, we are a miracle. You are that miracle.
I hope each of you have beautiful last days of Hanukkah, increasing the light in your homes and in our world. Stay warm, stay safe, and Shabbat Shalom.
