As you know, on the 1st night of Chanukah, as we were planning on gathering with our loved ones to celebrate the Jewish “Festival of Lights” we heard news of Darkness coming from Australia. We heard about the horrific and tragic antisemitic attack killing 15 people and wounding over 20 more at Bondi Beach, simply for being Jewish. They came together, in unity, to Celebrate Light and share it with the world, a world divided.
Chanukah is a time when we acknowledge G-d’s miracles that occurred over 2,000 years ago as the “Enlightened” Hellenistic government, culture, and army were outlawing and condemning the observance of Judaism from the public square. Jewish practices were banned, the Temple was desecrated, and Jews were executed for refusing to assimilate. It was a time full of acts of antisemitic terror.
The heartbreaking and sickening attack at Bondi Beach was also an act of antisemitic terror. As Jewish families gathered to celebrate light and resilience, they were met with violence and terror. They were simply targeted for being Jews and practicing Judaism in the public square. The goals of this terror are to eradicate Jewish religious practice, Jewish community, Jewish presence, Jewish peace, and Jewish joy. These are the goals of today’s acts of terror.
Let’s recall the story of Chanukah, and how a small group of Jews stood united in their desire to not be canceled by the oppressing culture denying their right to exist. They were standing up and fighting for their right to worship G-d in the Holy Temple, study the Torah, and observe their Jewish lifestyle. Let’s remember the miracle of the oil that burned in the Menorah for eight days, symbolizing G-d’s blessings and Divine light triumphing over darkness and oppression (after the Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple). Sadly, this story still applies to us today…. Over 2,000 years later.
When faced with terror, we can choose to either be terrified, run away and hide from society, from our Jewish identity, and our spiritual calling; or we can choose to take the lessons of the Maccabees at Chanukah to heart. What are those lessons? Firstly, we must not become overwhelmed at the magnitude of the antisemitic vitriol and acts of physical violence. Let’s remember that throughout our ancient history, there were many Empires that tried to erase our very presence and just as they failed, so will this. Secondly, we recall our Spiritual mission written in the Torah (Genesis 12:2-3), “I will make you into a great nation… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you”; and (Isaiah 60:3): “And nations shall walk by thy light, and kings by the brightness of thy rising”.
Just as history often repeats itself, the Truth of our Spiritual purpose does not change. We cannot allow fear, doubt, confusion, sadness, or discouragement to overwhelm us as we are called to share our faith, certainly, peace, joy, and love. So we will continue to study the Torah, pray, and come together for Shabbat and Holidays. We will continue, as required in the Torah, to defend life and prohibit the evil of terror. As we light our menorahs, let’s continue to place them in our front windows where they will visibly bring illumination to the world. Reminding us, and the world, that the Truth of G-d’s Divine Light is Love, Peace, Joy, and Healing.
May the memories of those who were murdered always be for a blessing! May a complete healing come to the wounded! Chanukah Sameach!
Shabbat shalom,
Rabbi Scott Matous
Rabbi Scott is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Society of Jewish Science – Torah Study & Kabbalat Shabbat
