I've been taking a meditation class which, not surprisingly, has brought more attention to my practice and more space for intention in all areas of my life. Breath is one of our greatest blessings, one we cannot live without. Noticing my breath fills me with gratitude for life, opportunity, love, and potential. Paying attention to the breath moving in and out of my nose and mouth brings focus to the source of restoration. It reminds me when my mind wanders and lets me practice returning my attention without judgment.
The other day, we did a counting practice which, of course, had me thinking about Hillel, Shammai, and the debate around how to light the Hanukkah Menorah. Hillel has us begin with one light and add an additional flame each night of the holiday. This practice, which we observe today, expands our appreciation of growing light. Shammai, on the other hand, begins by illuminating as much as possible. He calls for eight flames on the first night of Hanukkah, decreasing by one each successive night. Shammai takes us from the brightest light we can imagine to the tiniest spark within.
What if we were to draw our attention away from the number of lights and just notice the light itself. How does it rise up? with ease? does it flicker, diminish, then catch itself and burn brightly? Is it looking depleted or burning full force? Sitting by the Hanukkah Menorah and watching the candles burn (tradition tells us we cannot use it for any other purpose), we learn to appreciate the light, just as we appreciate the breath. Paying attention to our breath can be like noticing the spark of light within. We become curious about our internal "check engine light."
Each of us has a sacred spark that can bring light to another person and the world. To give to others, we must first refuel ourselves. Taking note of our eternal flame, we open to receiving light from others, entering a sacred give and take that offers restoration, dignity, and hope. This month's blessing speaks to just that task. Placed at the very beginning of the siddur/prayer book, just after putting on the tallit/prayer shawl, this bracha is offered as an intention to take on the responsibility/mitzvah of our divine creator, to love your neighbor as yourself. Hareini m'kabel/m'kabelet alai mitzvat haborei v'ahavta l'rayacha kamokha. You can listen to the chant HERE . This prayer has us plug in to the sacred fuel of the self to give that renewable energy away. This is a sacred call of the holy one. See the beauty and the blessing in the other. Greet their light. Invite love to rise up between you like the holy shekhinah/divine presence. Don't keep the light for yourself. You will be ok.
Tonight, we welcome the month of Tevet. As we bring these last lights of the Menorah - dancing alongside our shabbat candles (light the Hanukkiah and then the shabbos candles) - from our homes into the world, let us commit to notice the light within, share it with others, and open our hearts to receive the illumination that comes our way. May our relationships and our light surround us in blessing.
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Urim Sameach, rg
Congregation Habonim 103 West End Ave New York, NY 10023
