by Rabbi Carol Calise

During December we celebrate Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights and the Festival of Dedication. This holiday commemorates the deliverance of Adonai on behalf of our people when wicked Antiochus tried to destroy us. He used a brave family led by Mattithias and Judah HaMaccabbee. It is known as the Feast of Dedication because the Temple had been desecrated and had to be rededicated and cleansed to Adonai.

Let this month be a time of dedication for each one of us. The Temple was holy unto Adonai. We are called to be holy unto Him as well. In VaYikra Leviticus) 11.44 we are told,

- “Consecrate yourselves and be holy because I (Adonai) am holy.” Why did the Temple have to be restored? It had been defiled. Antiochus had slaughtered a pig on the altar. It had been left in ruins.

As we journey through this life it is easy for us to become defiled as well. Little compromises begin to creep in. The passion and love we had for HaShem becomes diminished. Sometimes our lives become like ruins. We become worn and weary. It is good to take the time to rededicate ourselves to Him in a fresh and new way. We can cleanse our spirits and our hearts through the help of His Ruach. We can present ourselves as holy unto Adonai so that His light might shine brightly through us.