Chanukah Reflections
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Chanukah Reflections
Lighting With the Parsha Where We Are
Opening Reflection
On Chanukah, we don’t begin by filling the room with light. We begin with a single flame.
One candle. One night. One small act.
We light, and then we watch. We don’t rush the glow. We let it settle, even when the world around us feels unsettled or dark.
During Chanukah, the Torah includes special holiday readings.
For this practice, we’re setting those aside and letting the Parsha of the week guide our nightly reflection.
Each night of Chanukah, we move through a different aliya of Parshas Miketz, following the weekly parsha as it unfolds. On the eighth night, we step naturally into the opening aliya of Vayigash, as the story begins to turn.
We’re not approaching the parsha as a lesson or analysis, but as a lens.
For these nights, the parsha becomes a kind of shamash — not one of the candles, and not the focus of our attention, but the steady source that helps each night’s light be lit.
Each night offers two inner voices:
Inner Yevanim — fear, pressure, and getting pulled off balance
Inner Chashmonaim — steadiness, responsibility, and choosing how we show up
Using These Reflections
This isn’t meant to be read all at once.
Each night of Chanukah stands on its own. You can read that night’s section before lighting the menorah, after lighting, or simply glance at it while the candles burn.
You don’t need to answer every question.
You don’t need to share out loud unless you want to.
Some families choose one question to discuss.
Some people read silently.
Some just let the words set the mood and then sit with the light.
There’s no right way to use this.
If a night resonates, stay with it.
If it doesn’t, let it pass.
Like the shamash, these reflections are here to serve the moment, not take it over.
🕯️
Night 1 — Miketz, Aliya 1
Pharaoh has troubling dreams. He senses they matter, but no one can explain them.
Inner Yevanim
• Is there something bothering me that I’ve been pushing aside?
• What thought or worry keeps coming back?
Inner Chashmonaim
• Is there something positive I want to grow or improve?
• Where do I feel curious or excited lately?
As the first candle burns, remember:
Light often begins by getting our attention.
🕯️🕯️
Night 2 — Miketz, Aliya 2
Yosef explains the dreams and suggests a clear plan for what’s coming next.
Inner Yevanim
• Where do I need more structure or self-control?
• What kind of plan would help me stay on track?
Inner Chashmonaim
• What’s one good idea I could actually act on?
• What small step could I take soon?
As the second candle burns, remember:
Understanding matters most when it leads to action.
🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 3 — Miketz, Aliya 3
Pharaoh puts Yosef in charge of Egypt’s food supply.
Inner Yevanim
• Where do I need to stay humble or careful?
• What helps me not let success go to my head?
Inner Chashmonaim
• Where am I being trusted more than before?
• How can I handle that responsibility well?
As the third candle burns, remember:
Growing up often means being trusted with more.
`🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 4 — Miketz, Aliya 4
The famine begins, and Yosef’s years of preparation keep people alive.
Inner Yevanim
• What habits help me when things get stressful?
• What have I practiced that helps me stay steady?
Inner Chashmonaim
• How can I support someone else who’s struggling?
• Where can I share what I have?
As the fourth candle burns, remember:
What we prepare ahead of time matters.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 5 — Miketz, Aliya 5
The brothers begin admitting they were wrong about Yosef.
Inner Yevanim
• Is there something I need to own up to?
• Where can I be more honest?
Inner Chashmonaim
• Where can I take responsibility even if I don’t have to?
• How can I earn or rebuild trust?
As the fifth candle burns, remember:
Owning mistakes is a sign of strength.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 6 — Miketz, Aliya 6
Yosef invites his brothers into his home and eats with them, even though everything isn’t resolved.
Inner Yevanim
• Where can I calm down instead of assuming the worst?
• How can I lower my guard a little?
Inner Chashmonaim
• How can I help someone feel more comfortable around me?
• Where can I bring kindness into a tense moment?
As the sixth candle burns, remember:
Kindness can change the atmosphere.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 7 — Miketz, Aliya 7
Yosef tests his brothers to see if they’ll stand by Binyamin under pressure.
Inner Yevanim
• What kind of person do I want to be when things get hard?
• What values really matter to me?
Inner Chashmonaim
• When have I stood up for someone else?
• Where can I show loyalty or courage now?
As the seventh candle burns, remember:
Character shows under pressure.
🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️🕯️
Night 8 — Vayigash, Aliya 1
Yehuda approaches Yosef and speaks up for his brother.
Inner Yevanim
• Is there a conversation I’ve been avoiding?
• What feels hard to say?
Inner Chashmonaim
• Who can I be more open or caring toward?
• How can I step closer instead of pulling away?
As all eight candles burn together, remember:
Light grows when we move toward one another.
Closing Reflection
As the candles burn, ask yourself quietly:
• What light from these nights do I want to carry forward?
• What small intention do I want to bring into the days ahead?
Chanukah light is not only something we look at, but something we learn how to carry with us.
Closing Blessing
May the light of Chanukah warm our homes and steady our hearts.
May it help us protect what matters and grow what is already good.
Like the Maccabees, may we have the courage to act when something precious is at stake, even if the light feels small and the path feels uncertain.
May we choose faithfulness over ease, presence over noise, and light that can be lived with.
And may it be enough, for tonight.
Happy Chanukah!
Berke Chein (lechemchein.com)