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Thinking About Hanukkah

We light new candles for each night.  And tradition, and law, demands that we use the shamash candle to light the other wicks.  No beracha, blessing, is said for the poor shamash. Only the other candles receive a blessing.  Why is this?

When we give tzedakah we do not say a beracha either.  We do not say a blessing because it might embarrass the one who receives the gift.

We know that tzedakah is so great that it is one of the highest mitzvot.  So, perhaps the lowly shamash is the greatest candle of all since it spreads light to all the others just as tzedakah does.

Could the same be said of us?

 

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“Between 1305 and the early 1800’s. the House of Taxis ran a form of pony express service all over Europe….   Its couriers clad in blue and silver uniforms, crisscrossed the continent carrying messages between princes and generals, merchants and money lenders.” –Alvin Toffler, The Third Wave We may think we are the first generation consumed by rapid communication but we are not.   Throughout our history it has been a priority. Of course, now in the 21 st century we must ask: are we better or worse for it?