Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

Much of Judaism centers around light. Each morning, we thank God for the light of a new day. Each evening, we thank God for the evening light.

We distinguish the beginning of Shabbat from weekdays by lighting at least two candles. We separate the end of Shabbat from weekdays by lighting a Havdalah candle.

During Chanukah, we celebrate the miracles of this season by lighting an additional candle each night. We do so based on a Talmudic teaching, "We ascend in holiness and do not descend."

When we mourn the loss of a loved one, we light a seven day Shiva candle. At the time of Yahrzeit and Yizkor, we light a twenty-four hour memorial candle. These practices are based on a Biblical verse, "The human soul is likened to a flame kindled unto God."

Over the past three decades, The Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs has initiated the idea of lighting a yellow candle to memorialize the Holocaust, known as the Yom Hashoa Candle.

With the notion that light dispels darkness, may we observe the many rituals involving light, which help us to celebrate, to remember, and to grieve.

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison