Not a week goes by that I don’t receive a call or an email from a parent in pain. “What happened to my adorable girl?” says one. “I don’t recognize this son of mine,” says another. When we conclude our conversation, my heart is heavy. Parenting has always been a monumental spiritual mission, and it is especially difficult nowadays.
Chanukah is our opportunity to be the shamash and reignite the sparks of light inside our children. The root of the word “Chanukah” is chinuch, which means education, inauguration, and dedication. Chanukah is a time to focus on the education of our children, to whom we dedicate our time, our resources and our entire being.
The goal of the Yevanim was to be metamei and mechallel, to defile and desecrate the soul of our nation. Although they lived in Eretz Yisrael and saw the Beis Hamikdash in front of their eyes, that generation was losing its spiritual light. Tragically, most of them did not perceive what was happening. Spiritual slumber is one of the deepest experiences of darkness that we face as am Yisrael.
When we place the menorah at the entrance of our home, the message is profound. Our mikdash me’at is the greatest response to those forces that seek to defile our spark. Chanukah reminds us that we are empowered to kindle flames, discover inner light, and then shine that light into the heart of every child.