Tonight is the last night of Chanukah. Even though the holiday came early this year, I was more conscious than usual of the warmth and light the candles bring in a time of gathering darkness. Perhaps it's the sharp cold we are already feeling, so early this year.
Chanukah is a holiday best celebrated in groups. We light the shamash ("attendant") candle first (one for each menorah) and then light the other candles from the shamash; in our family we take turns lighting candles in each menorah. While we light the candles, we sing the Chanukah candle-lighting prayers.
Once all the candles are lit, we always turn the electric lights off. We are quiet (as quiet as we get in our family); we watch the candle flames dance, and see the glow in each other's faces.
Last year, some weeks after Chanukah, Sarah and her friend Anna stood out in the snow with sparklers. They created their own circle of light in the immense darkness. Isn't that our best task in life?
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