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Shalom Shaarei Kodesh,
This Chanukah, I received a wonderful gift from my in-laws, a Chanukah sweater that lights up! I decided to wear my new, gaudy Chanukah sweater to the football game on Monday night. My kids asked me, "Are you sure you want to wear that?" In past years, I knew what they were really asking: "Abba, are you going to embarrass us in public?!?" This year, the subtext was different: "Abba, with all the anti-semitism in the world, do you think it is a good idea to broadcast that we are Jewish to the entire stadium?!?" It was the fifth night of Chanukah, and this year, maybe now more than ever, I feel being proudly Jewish is imperative during Chanukah.
As we walked into the stadium, people were staring at my sweater. Instead of frowns, or eye-rolling, I received smiles from Jews and non-Jews alike! A couple of people even stopped and thanked me, and wished us a Happy Chanukah. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as we were that evening. Many Jews, especially our teens, are asking the question, should I hide my Jewish symbols, and wear them outside my shirt? Ironically, this is one of the debates of Chanukah - do I put my menorah in a public place for the world to see, or just in my home, hidden from public view?
I attempted to answer this question and give some context to the issue in an opinion editorial that I wrote for the Sun Sentinel (it can be found in today's print edition and online). I felt the message needed to be heard not just by Jews, but our non-Jewish neighbors. Please take a moment to read my op-ed below, and share it with friends and family.
Tonight begins the final night of Chanukah. As our tradition teaches us, we rise up in holiness, and we never diminish. Even though Chanukah ends tomorrow, we still carry the light of the menorah with us in our daily lives. We are a light unto the nations, and we must continue to show our light to the world.
I wish you all a Chanukah Urim Sameach, a happy festival of lights, and a Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi David Baum
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