December 2007 Bulletin Message

For Your Consideration
Rabbi Mark Dov Shapiro

Did it ever occur to you that, for most of us, every day of the year is like Chanukah? I don't mean to spoil the upcoming season, but I can't escape the feeling that the gift giving of Chanukah is misplaced.

Most of us don't need that new sweater or those new CD's as gifts. We can just as well purchase them on one of our many trips to the Mall in October, March, or April. In fact, if there is one place on the map our youngsters know by memory, it probably is the Holyoke Mall. The Mall (or others like it) is the place where consuming is etched into their hearts and ours as a very natural way to spend free time.

But after a year in which they and we have been to the Mall so many times I do find myself wondering what makes Chanukah different. When we can treat ourselves to "gifts" all year round, Chanukah gifts seem unnecessary.

I know that's why I find myself so impressed with the initiative generated by the Union for Reform Judaism a few years ago. "Ner shel tzedakah" means "the light of giving," and it's the title for a program that suggests we begin to rethink Chanukah. The idea is that, on at least one evening of the holiday, we ought to make a gift of tzedakah somewhere in the world. Donate the value of the gifts you might ordinarily exchange (or the gifts themselves) to local or national organizations that try to light up the world in some significant way.

The choices for your tzedakah recipients are as broad as your own concerns for politics, culture, the environment, the animal world, family life, housing, education, hunger, health care, and Israel.

Like everyone, I do love Chanukah. I love the beauty of the candles as they grow brighter through the holiday, and I love the notion that there is more to this holiday than fun. There is something holy to be done. It's called "ner shel tzedakah." I hope the idea becomes part of your December holiday.

Prior Bulletin Messages from the Rabbi are available on this site.