Cry Freedom

Jewish history has long been a struggle for religious freedom, a struggle to worship the way we want. After sundown, I lit the first candle for Chanukah. The single light along with the glow from the Shamash gave a warm glow on a cold night. The word Chanukah means dedication. Dedication can mean several things:

Main Entry:
ded·i·ca·tion
Pronunciation:
\ˌde-di-ˈkā-shən\
Function:
noun
Date:
14th century
1 : an act or rite of dedicating to a divine being or to a sacred use
2 : a devoting or setting aside for a particular purpose
3 : a name and often a message prefixed to a literary, musical, or artistic production in tribute to a person or cause
4 : self-sacrificing devotion
5 : a ceremony to mark the official completion or opening of something (as a building)

Chanukah marks the rededication to the Second Temple which had been desecrated by the Greeks. And yet it means much more than that. From the time the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and left nothing more than a Wall standing and dispersed the Jewish population, Jews have been dedicated in remembering who they are.

Tonight, I will light two candles and as i gaze upon their glow, I will think about the post David wrote and renew my dedication.