December 28, 2016

28 Kislev 5777

The Fourth Day of Hanukkah

Dear Friends,

Happy Hanukkah!  

Every morning, our liturgy begins with a series of blessings designed to help us express appreciation for our ability to function in the world and to fully realize our capacities. One of these blessings is intended to be recited when we first open up our eyes in the morning:  

Praised are You, O Lord our God, Ruler of the Universe,

Who opens the eyes of the blind.

It's easy to say this blessing with full kavannah (intentionality) when we are able to look about us and see the beautiful world by the light of the early morning sun.  

But what if we're blind?  Should we recite this blessing if we can't see the sunrise, or if we can't see the face of a beloved family member or friend?

The halachic (Jewish legal) answer is clear: yes, even blind people can and should recite this blessing.  

Why?

Well, even if blind individuals are unable to see on their own, they may be able to benefit from other, sighted people around, who can assist them and help provide for their needs.  

Also, "opening the eyes of the blind" can be understood metaphorically.  One can open people's eyes by providing them with tools for growth and understanding.  Indeed, that's what the term means when it is first used in the Bible.  In Genesis 3, when Adam and Eve eat the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden, the text says, "their eyes were opened."  It is clear from the story that both Adam and Eve had been able to see -- literally , that is -- prior to this.  Hence, in that context, those words mean something else; they mean that from that moment on, Adam and Eve developed understanding and insight that previously they had lacked.  

I thought about this blessing the other day when I listened to a certain sound file. Let me tell you about it. (If you can't wait, a link to it appears at the bottom of this email; but to understand what's so special about it, read on!)

Every year, our own Arnie Harris, who teaches music at the Perkins School for the Blind, writes an original Hanukkah song to be sung by his choir in the school's annual holiday concert.

This year, he composed a song entitled, "Ner va-Or" -- "Lamp and Light."  For its lyrics, Arnie chose two verses from the Bible.

The first is Proverbs 20:27:  

Ner Adonai nishmat adam; hofes kol khadrei vaten;

A lamp of God is the human soul, illuminating all the innermost chambers  

The second is Psalms 97:11:

Or zarua la'tsadik, u'l'yishrei lev simcha; 

Light is sown for the righteous; and joy for the upright of heart

On one level, of course, these verses are talking literally about light .  But they're also talking about light as a metaphor -- a metaphor for enlightenment and insight, and the joy that comes with them .

These verses, in the exquisite way that Arnie has blended them, reinforce a key message of the Hanukkah story: that with faith and courage and hope in the future, we can overcome darkness.  

A song with these lyrics would have that message no matter who sang it, but I must say, when I heard it sung by Arnie's choir, I found it particularly poignant. For his choir of nine students includes six who are completely blind, and three who are partially visually impaired. Listening to them sing this song, ... it was hard not to shed a tear.

I encourage you to listen to the sound file twice.  The first time, try to relate to the image of your soul being God's lamp in illuminating the world, or the image of light being scattered throughout the world as a reward for the righteous. Does this song speak to you?  Do you hear a message in it?

Then listen to the song a second time, and ask yourself: What might it mean for a blind person to sing a song like this, one that focuses so explicitly on light and illumination?  Is the message any different?

If as you are listening you would like to follow along with the text and the music, I encourage you to click here for the sheet music.  The sound file itself can be accessed at the bottom of this letter.  Please note that since the Hebrew name for God, "A donai ," is customarily only employed during worship, the word " adoshem " is used in its place in the song.

Let me wish you and your family a warm, bright and enlightening  Hanukkah. I hope that the holiday will bring us all hope and encouragement to face the challenges that the new year will inevitably bring.  Also, I hope that, like Arnie and his colleagues, each of us can, in the coming year, play our rightful role in bringing light and enlightenment to anyone around us who can use a little hope and encouragement.

Happy Hanukkah!

Sincerely,

Rabbi Carl M. Perkins