Hanukkah Message by Liora Leah Blog entry

Rabbi Micha'el Akiba sends a prayer of peace and freedom from oppression from Jerusalem, on this, the first night of Hanukkah

Date: 12/25/2005 10:04:40 PM ( 20 y ) ... viewed 1669 times

Parashat: Mikeitz Genesis 41:1 - 44:17 Haftarah: I Kings 3:15 - 3:28

From Reb Micha'el:

Jerusalem, Israel
December 23, 2006

Family and Friends of P'nai Or:
Shalom and greetings to all of you from Jerusalem.

This trip on which I have been has been truly magical.
The eyes of my heart have been opened to many things beyond the beauty of what my regular eyes have seen, both in Turkey and in Israel.

Here, in Jerusalem--at my writing of this note--we are getting ready for Shabbat and the lighting the first of the Channukah candles. I invite all of you to remember to, first of all,  take the time to light candles each night and, as you do, remember that we are "to make known" the miracle of this holiday--not the story of the oil lasting longer than it should, but that the Beloved One has brought to us the opportunity to live and work and pray freely as Jews. This is a great miracle! Each day, adding another candle, reminds us of more Light--the Light of Lights, the Light of the Love of G-d--that is ready to enter the world. Take the time to help draw down this Light from above. Light each and every candle with this intention. And, as we gaze at the light of the candles each night, we should pray that all those in the world who still face oppression and those who may only be "free" in name, that they should have complete and total freedom from hatred and oppression and bigotry and persecution and that they may have the freedom to worship G-d as they choose . . . and that we, too, may continue to live in peace and that true peace may come to the world swiftly.

Shabbat blessings
Channukah blessings

with love

rabbi micha'el akiba

Hanukkah Prayer
Hanukkah Prayer by Liora Leah