The menorah and “lights” in 2019

image credit: www:turbosquid.com

Tea Party readers who are not Jewish may not know the symbolism of the menorah. Rabbi Michael Barclay published a thoughtful article about “The Most Powerful Moments of Light in 2019” – one of many retrospectives on the year 2019, and he starts off:

On Hannukah, we are commanded to light a Hannukah menorah (a 9-branched candelabra [sometimes with 7-branches) and place it in our windows as a symbol of our willingness to combat evil…with each candle enlightening the dark in the world. In 2019, there has been a lot of darkness, but there have also been “candles” in the dark that have brought more light into all of our worlds. In honor of Hannukah (and the light of Christmas as well) it is good to remember some of these candles that have brought more light into this past year.

The menorah has eight specific candles and a “shamash," an all-important “helper" candle that lights each of the other lights. Below, in no particular order, are some of the powerful moments of light of 2019

•      There can be no doubt that the shamash of 2019 has been President Trump. Without the shamash helper, none of the candles could be lit. It is the spark from which each candle comes. His actions have sparked lights around the world to combat the evil and darkness of “the swamp" that has been enveloping the nation over the last number of years. Despite the many efforts to snuff out this candle, his persistence and willingness to fight the darkness has demonstrated what dedication really means.

Eight other candles of light in the darkness of 2019, in no particular order, include [and please click here to read his explanations as to why these “lights” have been chosen]

• Prager University's fight for freedom of speech. 
• The executive order regarding Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
• The election of Boris Johnson.
• Congressmen Nunes, Collins, Jordan, Stefanik, and the rest of the Republican members of the House Committees on Intelligence and Justice.
• Joe Biden.
• Kanye West.
• Father Robert Morey. 
• The American people.

. . .

May each of us celebrate Hannukah, Christmas, and all holidays of light in a way that allows the glow of our souls to enlighten the world…creating true peace and joy.

Read the full article here. 

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