Our friends at Congregation Kneseth Israel in Elgin are celebrating Chanukah, (also spelled Hanukkah), eight days in December that commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. According to the traditional stories, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only one container of pure olive oil, but this oil burned the whole eight days of the rededication of the Temple. The Jewish celebration of Chanukah commemorates this event, prompting those of the faith to ask themselves: how they can be sources of light in the world?
Other religions have their own use of the symbolism of light: the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh celebration of Diwali celebrates the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.” To inadequately paraphrase one story of origin (and there are many), Diwali celebrates the return home by two gods, after one was rescued by the other, and they defeated the powers of evil in the world. They followed lamps lit in the underworld that allowed them to find their way out of the underworld.
The spiritual embrace of this legend requires contemporary people to do acts of goodwill and kindness, showing light to others. Food for Greater Elgin has experienced this light first-hand, receiving the blessing of a Sikh gentleman who filled his pickup truck with food and brought it to us to share with those in need.
Many Christians celebrate Advent, a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus, by lighting candles each Sunday to reflect upon the themes of hope, peace, joy, and love. There are just as many different Christian traditions as there are Hindu, Muslim, or Jewish interpretations of their significant religious events. Living religious traditions can never be reduced to immobile practices.
Food for Greater Elgin has been blessed by each of these religious traditions, and more, through volunteers, food, and gifts from each faith tradition, seeking to be light in the world, to give care and love to those who need that most basic need: food. We are grateful for their gifts to us, and dedicate ourselves to be a gift to those in our communities who need food.
Thank you, all, and Happy Celebrations!