You Are A Menorah

In a teaching on Hanukkah Rae Shagalov, master calligrapher and author of "What is a Soul Like You Doing in a Place Like This", shared that the final day of Hanukkah is called Zos Hanukkah, "This is Hanukkah." It is only on the final day of Hanukkah -
when all eight days and lights have been actualized and lit -
that we say: "This is Hanukkah."

On Hanukkah we celebrate that the one cruse
of pure and undefiled oil miraculously remained.
Our inner core remains just as pure and holy
as it was when it was first placed within us.
No matter what darkness each of us has experienced in our lives,
great miracles can still happen, and as our potential emerges,
we can illuminate the lives of others by sharing
the wisdom that we have gained from our experiences.

Why is the eighth day of Hanukkah so significant?
The state of the world is one of darkness
and that darkness affects us.
In our world, potential is not enough;
we must have actual deeds to effect a change.
When our potential is actualized -
from our thoughts into deeds -
that is when we can point to what we did
and say, "Zos - This is what I did."
"This is Hanukkah."

Hanukkah menorahs are traditionally lit with
olive oil in small vessels and wicks.
When the olive is squeezed, the oil,
the essence comes out.
The pressures of life squeeze our souls
until the essence comes out.

We are such small vessels.
Our tests are so hard.
The darkness in the world seems so great.
With the oil of our effort
and the light of our faith,
G-d will surely take us out of the great darkness of this exile.

Rae inspires us saying, "You are a menorah.
Shine your light wherever you go
And light up others with it.
The candle that we use to light the menorah
is called the shamash, the servant.
You are like the shamash candle,
lighting up others in your little corner of the world
with your smile, your faith, and your good deeds."

The little kindnesses we do
light up so much darkness!
You just do your part
and G-d will help.
You WILL see miracles!

Enjoy Rae's teachings and beautiful calligraphy at
www.holysparkes.org