A Full Dose of Light. How Do We Carry on the Flame’s Messages

Meaningful Life Skills with Rabbi Simon Jacobson

As we welcome the New Year, one of the most pressing questions -- and modern-day dilemmas -- is: how can we sustain our New Year’s resolutions? Whether it’s losing weight, launching a new project, mending a relationship, or breaking a habit, the resolutions we make often struggle to last beyond a week—sometimes even a day.

This year, the New Year aligns with the final day of Chanukah, when we light all eight candles of the menorah. Indeed, Chanukah offers us profound insight into this challenge: how do we maintain inspiration? Like a maintenance contract often costing more than the initial service, sustaining our commitments can feel far more difficult than starting them.

So, let’s delve into this timely and relevant discussion. What does Chanukah teach us about carrying the light forward—not just tonight, but every day? How can the enduring message of Chanukah’s flames guide us in illuminating our lives with purpose and resolve in the year ahead?