Author: Sheri Denkensohn-Trott
I am a planner, so it is surprising that every year I don’t check to see if we have Hanukkah candles. I know the dates, they are on my calendar, so one would think that I’d have everything needed for the celebration. Not this year. It’s even crazier because our tree was up and decorated!
My great-nephew lives in Michigan, and we started a tradition two years ago to light the candles together over zoom. So, on the first night of Hanukkah, we had zoom all set up and one hour before “go” time we realized that we had no candles. I was frantic.
I started searching online like a maniac. CVS, the local grocery stores, everywhere was out of candles. Next step, text everyone in my building that I know celebrates Hanukkah to ask for two candles. I then texted my neighbor up the street to see if I could come get two candles. But it would be cutting it close timewise. Just as she texted me back to say that I could get them, my neighbor across the hall responded to my text and said that she had just returned from services at synagogue and had left a box of Hanukkah candles outside of my door. I was ecstatic! What were the chances?
We had a lovely candle lighting with my great nephew. And sufficient candles to last us through Hanukkah. But trust me, I’m going to be on the lookout for candles. I might even go on a search now that the holiday is over and see if I can buy them for next year. They don’t expire. My neighbor was our miracle of lights this year.
Wonderful story Sheri!!
There’s a Jewish legend that the Red Sea didn’t part until the first man set his foot in it. In other words, God wants to know we’re willing to make an effort and take a risk to get what we’ve prayed for — and voila!
Let there be light!