Sunday, December 28, 2008

GRATEFULNESS FOR THE EIGHTH, THE LAST LIGHT OF HANUKKAH

While the song "Who Knows One" continues to the number 13, Hannukah concludes with the number eight.
The eighth day of life is the day of circumcision for the Jewish male child, a sign of visceral and anatomical attachment to the Covenant with God.
Eight represents too a realm of the beyond, a space outside of the natural span of seven days, the basic unit of time corresponding to the completion of the Creation of the world.
Thus eight suggests the transcendental, that which knows no end. While we may be saddened by the conclusion of Hannukah and all its moments of miraculous celebration, the last light-the eighth-assures us that the noble, the sacred, the good of life are essentially un extinguishable since they occupy a place of eternity, a place beyond time.
May the lights of Hannukah continue to warm our hearts and bring joy and the recognition of gratefulness to all .

A final Happy Hannukah until next year, with God’s blessing.

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