MONROE, CT — When a small crowd gathered on the Monroe Town Green to light the menorah Wednesday, thoughts of the tragic mass shooting that took place during a celebration of Hanukkah at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, which claimed 15 innocent lives last Sunday, still hung heavy in the cold night air.
“Coming from such darkness, it is imperative that we add in more light,” Rabbi Israel Stock said, “because we can’t fight darkness with sticks and stones or weapons. The only thing that can banish darkness is light — and if the darkness feels cold and extra dark, then we just have to add more light, as hard as it may be.”
First Selectman Terry Rooney noted how seriously Monroe takes public safety, on a night with a visible police presence on the green.
“We know that we’ve seen some horrible things happen in our world and we never want that to be here,” Rooney said. “We want to be here for a peaceful gathering to represent all walks of life, all religions, all cultures equally, and we do that here in Monroe.”
Rabbi Joseph Stock, Israel’s father, thanked the Monroe Police Department and State Trooper Matthew Gamson, of Troop G, who has attended all of Chabad Lubavitch of Southern Connecticut’s menorah lightings this year. One more will be held in front of the Easton EMS, 448 Sport Hill Road, this Thursday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m.
Seven strains
On Wednesday, which marked the fourth night of Hanukkah, Rabbi Israel Stock told the crowd the story of the menorah lighting.
During the occupation of the land of Israel, the Greeks broke the seal of each jar of oil, making it impure. Though, Jews are allowed to use impure oil to light the menorah when it is a necessity, the Israelites wanted to use pure oil. They found a small container of pure olive oil, though it was not normally used for this purpose.
It took four days of travel to obtain more oil and four days to bring it back. Though the Israelites only had enough oil for one day, through a miracle, it lasted for eight.
Contrary to popular belief, Stock said the original menorah had seven branches, not eight. The eighth was added in recognition of the miracle.
“Why seven in the original? There are actually seven strains of personalities people can be divided into, seven general groups,” he said, “and a high priest would come to the menorah every day and ignite all seven of the lights on the menorah, essentially what he was doing was recognizing the differences that exist between people.”
“We ignite them all because everyone needs to find their own individual, unique flame and shine,” Stock said. “When we light the menorah on Hanukkah, it’s a chance to remember that we are all different and yet we all have that inner flame that we need to discover, ignite, let it shine, reveal it so that others can benefit from your lighting one.”
The rabbi wished everyone a Happy Hanukkah and success in revealing their own inner light, so it can spread, influencing others.
The first selectman thanked everyone for coming to the menorah lighting. “Happy Hanukkah to all of you,” Rooney said. “Bless you all.”
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