Terror in Australia on Hanukkah: Why People of Faith Must Bring Light—Together |
As Jews around the world began lighting the Hanukkah candles, darkness once again revealed itself. In Australia, a Hanukkah gathering on Bondi Beach, where members of the Jewish community had come together to celebrate and light the menorah, was targeted in a horrific act of terror. At least 12 innocent people were killed. Among the victims was a rabbi devoted to faith, service, and community.
As I watched the news unfold, my heart cried out: Lord, what is the answer? What are we called to do when darkness feels everywhere?
I believe the answer is found in the very holiday that began Sunday night.
It is no coincidence that Hanukkah falls in the dead of winter, during the longest nights of the year. It is no coincidence that this attack occurred precisely when Jews were publicly lighting the menorah. Hanukkah teaches us that light must be brought into the darkness, and specifically where the darkness feels strongest. God commands us not to surrender to darkness.
That is why Jewish tradition does not tell us to light the menorah hidden away in a private room. We are commanded to place it by the window, facing the public square. The message is unmistakable: faith must be visible. Light must be shared. One small flame can illuminate an entire room. One good action can spark a thousand more.
Watching this evil unfold—from........