Chanukah 2014: Second Candle - What Will Your Miracle Be?

The Bible tells us that when Jacob awoke from his dream of angels going up and down the ladder to Heaven, he found a small flask of oil next to him. He took the oil and poured it on the stone on which he had slept, making a vow to give a portion of everything he received to the Creator.

Fast forward a little over three decades. Jacob had fled from his father-in-law’s house and was on the road with his family when he realized that he had left behind a few small bottles of oil. Recognizing and appreciating the value of even the smallest gifts bestowed upon him by the Creator, Jacob risked his safety and went back to get them.

Jacob’s consciousness and actions on these two occasions planted the seed for the miracle of Chanukah that occurred generations later during the time of the Maccabees when the small flask of oil burned for eight full days rather than one. Jacob had opened the gates via his consciousness, his tithing, and his continual mesirut nefesh, his “giving up of himself.”

The same energy that ignited the original Chanukah miracle has been present throughout the generations and continues to be here with us now.

Tonight as we light the second candle of Chanukah, let’s meditate to plant positive seeds for ourselves, our loved ones, and the world. The gates are open. What will your miracle be?