Rabbinic Reflection: Rabbi Samuel Kaye

Out of the Cold Returns on January 12th!

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdetchev teaches that the miracles of Chanukah are of a very special flavour. Some miracles are supernatural, some might be mistaken for luck, but on Chanukah, we celebrate the special category of miracles that human beings start, and God finishes. The Rabbi teaches that the Maccabees must first do the work, fighting the war, reclaiming the Temple, and lighting the oil. In return for their initiative God grants miracles; victory against overwhelming odds, a Temple purified, and candles that burn 8 days.

We learn that every time humanity acts, it opens the possibility for God to step in and exceed our expectations. It was true in ancient days. It is still true today. That is the secret meaning of our prayer we say on Chanukah: Sh’asah Nisim L’avoteinu, baymim hahem, uh’bazman hazeh. “Who made miracles for our ancestors in their time, and for us as well.”

Since I studied it years ago, this teaching has been one of my most important texts about Tikkun Olam. Human beings act to do good in the world, and sometimes, miraculously, we are rewarded with outcomes beyond our wildest dreams. Even when nothing ‘extra’ happens, we are still rewarded, because we acted to heal this beautiful creation.

I am so proud to announce that the fantastic volunteers, members, and leadership of Holy Blossom Temple have acted! Community Dinner: An Out of the Cold Program will begin on January 12th. While the program is a little different than it was before, our guests will be unable to sleep over and we are not cooking together at this time, the core mission remains the same. We will welcome, feed, and protect members of our community for a few hours, granting them respite from the physical dangers of the season and the spiritual isolation of homelessness and food insecurity.

You can register to volunteer by contacting our volunteer coordinator Tabitha Grove at [email protected]. New and veteran volunteers alike are needed. Click here to learn more about Community Dinner: An Out of the Cold Program at Holy Blossom.

A special thanks to the Out of the Cold Team; Andrea Katz, Ellen Howard, Janet Shiner, Tabitha Grove, and Nancy Lerner for their diligent work in rekindling the light of this incredible program.

Chaag Oar Sameach, Blessed Holiday of Light to us all.