Be the Shamash
Texts on Be the Shamash
“Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” (Anne Frank)
[Chanukah] celebrates the miracle of people looking after one another and doing what is right. In a traditional chanukiyah, the candles representing each day are not higher than one another. In a divisive world, we have rituals to remind us that there’s danger when we lift one group over another, and there’s hope and beauty when we connect to one another as equals. (Rabbi Daveen Litwin)
“The candle of God is the soul of a person, searching their innermost parts.” (Proverbs 20:27)
It is written in the book of Proverbs “The candle of God is the soul of a person, searching their innermost parts.” The Talmud teaches that that searching requires a candle. One candle from another. “I will seek out Jerusalem with candles” (Zeph. 1:12)… The word NeR (candle) stands for Nefesh Ruach (“soul” and “spirit”)…Especially at this season, when lights were miraculously lit for Israel even though they did not have enough oil, there remains light even now to help us, with the aid of these Chanukah candles, to find that hidden light within. Hiding takes place mainly in the dark; we need the candles’ light of this season to seek and to find the hidden light within. (S’fat Emet)
Blessed are You, Adonai, who enables each one of us to spread light and uplift those around us
Questions to Consider:
What brought you light and goodness this year?
How did that light encourage you to bring light and goodness into the world?
Whom do you know who could benefit from some light and goodness this year?
Activities
Surprise a Friend
Put together a surprise gift basket for a friend or family member. Drop it off on their porch as a surprise.
Journal
Who are the people and what are the moments where you have felt encouraged? Who has spread their light to you? What about their words or actions built you up and helped you burn brighter? With this reflection in mind, who are three people to whom you would like to spread light? Make an action plan for spreading light to these individuals.
Write Cards
Take an hour to write post-Chanukah cards to special people in your life. What message of light can you offer them as we move toward the secular new year?
Family Activities
It is hard for kids to not get caught up in the excitement of getting gifts, especially if it is your family’s tradition to have eight nights of gifts. Our suggestion for the theme of “Be the Shamash” is to set aside one night for kids to give rather than receive. Here are some ideas on how to make giving to those in need both fun and meaningful.
Game Night
Hold a “Reverse” Gift Night: Challenge everyone in the family to find 8 toys or other items that they would be willing to donate. Pack them up together and deliver them to an organization that can use them.
Donate as a Family
Set aside an amount of money that you might have spent on presents and decide as a family on a non-profit to receive the money. With older kids, challenge kids to research organizations and vote on a winner.
Family Tzedekah Goal
Set a family Tzedakah goal and make a Tzedakah box to remind you of your goal by decorating a container with pictures from magazines, words or drawings.
