On January 1, 2000 the New York Times ran a special edition called the Millennial Edition. One of the front pages projected the future events of January 1, 2100. This fictional page included a welcome to the fifty-first state of Cuba and a discussion on whether robots should be allowed to vote.
Then on the bottom corner was a small announcement. It read:
“JEWISH WOMEN/GIRLS LIGHT SHABBAT
candles today 18 minutes before sunset. In New York 4:39 PM. Elsewhere touch for local times and for information.”
No one paid them to include that.
When asked why it was included, an editor responded, “We worked for a long time on this mock-up, and we spend a lot of time thinking what could possibly be the news a hundred years from now. One thing we knew for sure — Jewish women and girls would still be lighting Shabbat candles.”
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As I reflect on the horrors experienced by the Jewish community in Sydney and the tragic loss to our people, I am comforted and encouraged by this millennial edition of the New York Times.
This time the New York Times got it right. The rest of that page telegraphed news that would be out of sync with the present. Today, no one would imagine that Cuba could be an American state. Or that robots should be entitled to vote.
If the entire page was devoted to futuristic news, why did they publish the “same-old” announcement that had been running for years? Wouldn’t that be counter to the entire theme?
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As we celebrate Chanukah, commemorating a miracle from years ago, Jews wonder what the future holds. What will life look like for the Jewish people in 100 years?
Chanukah itself provides the answer.
What exactly did the Maccabees fight for? They fought to practice their faith openly and proudly. Not all Jews agreed. Some felt compromise is better. Others felt it’s better to play it safe and assimilate. Or go into hiding.
But, the Maccabees realized that what keeps the flame of the Jewish people alive is Judaism. Jews without Judaism aren’t guaranteed to stick around.
Just ask the New York Times. The one thing they knew was a certainty – of the past, present, and future – is that Jewish women light Shabbat candles.
We are in deep pain. But, we recognize that our light will continue to shine.
This Chanukah, let’s take a stand. Not just to proclaim who we are and how we should be treated. Let’s take a stand to live faithfully to the destiny of our people. We’re going to be around in 100 years, and 1000 years. Because we are going to be Jewish like the Maccabees.
When we are attacked for being Jewish, we don’t hide. We live prouder and louder.
Do it for the Jews of Sydney. Do it for yourself. And, do it for the future of the Jewish people.
That’s an investment with a guaranteed return.