The Eight Days of Chanuka

There always were two ways to live in a world that is often dark and full of tears. We can curse the darkness or we can light a light, and as the Chassidim say, a little light drives out much darkness. May we all help light up the world.
–Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

But I also say this: that light is an invitation to happiness, and that happiness, when it’s done right, is a kind of holiness, palpable and redemptive.

–Mary Oliver

The candle of G-d is the soul of man

 –Proverbs 20:27

A little-known tradition, which I wish I kept more stringently, is that, after lighting Chanuka candles, a woman should not do any labor, but rather sit for the half hour that the candles burn and pray, or learn, or meditate, or, in a perfect world, be left alone entirely to do as she pleases. 

A few years ago, a friend posted eight prayers for the eight nights of Chanuka that women can say during this time. 

Every year, I forget all about them until around the 6th night, so this year, I made an effort to track down those prayers and write them out. 

However, as I was tracking and writing, I realized that, at this point in my life, the original prayers, the source of which I'm not sure of, no longer completely 'speak' to me. Maybe they aren't meant to. After all, prayer is a very private and individual action. 

Therefore, I'm making some changes to the original eight prayers, given my way of life and my personal belief system, which is a bit different than many people assume. I'm sharing them here, in the hope that it will influence others to pray in their own way. 

So here goes: 

1^st night: Pray that you and your loved ones will not suffer from loneliness or despair; that you will always be there for each other, that you won't be forgotten, and that you will not forget others. 

2^nd night: Pray for peace in your home. But also in your street, in your neighborhood, in your town, and in your Land. But start with peace in your home. 

3^rd night: Pray for good, happy, healthy children and grandchildren, whether they be yours, your siblings, your neighbors, or the kid in the line ahead of you at the supermarket. Pray that the younger generation does a better job running the world than we've been doing. 

4^th night: The fourth night celebrates the four Matriarchs - Sarah, Rivka, Leah, and Rachel. Pray for the ability to emulate their behaviour; to be an influence to the good, to be supportive, to be gracious, to have wisdom and empathy, to learn from life's experiences. 

5^th night: On the fifth night, a majority of the Chanukiya is lit. Five is the number of the books of the Torah. Pray that the world is filled with light!!! with goodness, with kindness, with Godliness. 

6^th night: Pray for a joyful and peaceful Shabbat and remember that Shabbat is the source of all blessings.

7^th night: Pray for joy! But more - pray that you recognize the opportunities for joy and happiness. Pray to remember to show gratitude, for from joy and gratitude comes peace. 

8^th night: Because the number eight is considered to be above nature, the eighth day of Chanuka is considered to be a most auspicious day for prayer. For this reason, pray for a miracle. Remember, miracles are all around us, therefore, pray also to recognize the miracles and blessings we have been granted.  

Chanuka is a time of miracles, the greatest one being that we are still here to light the candles and drive away at least some of the darkness.