The fragile yet formidable Chanukah candles
We tenderly lit, daringly defy the suffocating
Darkness around us and in us,
Soothing and softening, we pray, all who
Their magic of evoked memories of elation
And trepidation with oil – dripping levivot
(Potato pancakes) for expectant levavot
(Hearts) while partaking of sustaining sweet
Sufganiyot (donuts) to counteract the bitterness
Of previous and following defeats,
Celebrating a temporary victory before the
Hasmonians’ intra-feuds hastened the demise
Of short-lived Jewish sovereignty with warning
Lessons for the contemporary scene of mounting
Extremism and spreading strife,
With hostages in death-filled Gaza darkness
Still-second Chanukah’s Festival of Lights
In captivity, how tragically ironic!- desperately
Yearning for a light lagging too long
Behind and may not come, and for too many
Their wondrous light already snuffed out by
Those adoring the dark with the candle of each
Unique life burning down before its time and
Forever lost is that consecrated inner oil,
Though only we possess the priestly power
To extinguish the bright Chanukia (menorah)
Embedded deep within us.
Rabbi Dr. Israel Bobrov Zoberman is the founder of Temple Lev Tikvah and Honorary Senior Rabbi Scholar at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church