Chanukah is for adults. Not children.
At a Chanukah party I met a lady whom I had never seen. Not even on Rosh Hashono or Yom Kippur. After making introductions, I inquired what prompted her to come for Chanukah. She replied, "It's good for the kids, ya know. To experience the menorah, candles, and all." [Translation: It's not for me. It's for the kids. I have no reason to be interested in this religious stuff.]My response:
Chanukah is really primarily for adults. The kids don't need it much.
Chanukah is the holiday in which the darkness melts away in the face of light. The candles' shine dispels the darkness.
Our child within is the part within that is like a flame. It dances. It sings. It knows no darkness. Our adult side, however, is the side which has experienced abuse, rejection, and the dark side of life.
Chanukah is about bringing out that child like side of us and allowing it to illuminate our adult selves. To allow our abuse and rejection to give way to the realization that life is indeed beautiful, that life is indeed something we can dance to.
Chanukah urges us to embrace our inner child, to embrace our sacred duty of being a flame which can light up the world.
So, Ma'am, Chanukah is really for the you. The adult. Your child doesn't really need it. The child is the candle. Your child is a living Chanukah, you are the one who needs it most.
She replied, "Hmmm, quite true. I would like the hurt to go away."
Embrace your inner candle. Your inner flame. Then you will dance.
