The Last Day of Chanuka: Lighting the Way Forward

Chanuka always seems to fly by, doesn’t it? One moment, we’re excitedly setting up our menorahs and spinning dreidels, and the next, we’re lighting the last candle and realizing it’s all coming to an end. It was fun while it lasted—the lights, the songs, the donuts—but there’s so much more to Chanuka than the celebration itself. Every day of Chanuka holds immense power: segulot, opportunities to connect with Hashem, and precious time spent with family.

But now, as we approach the end, we have to ask ourselves: What did I take away from Chanuka? How will my life be better or different because of it?

Chanuka’s Purpose: More Than Just Fun

The point of any experience, especially a spiritual one, isn’t just to enjoy it in the moment—it’s to grow through it. Chanuka is filled with miracles, gratitude, and potential for transformation. It’s not meant to be a “one and done” holiday that we pack away with the menorahs and dreidels. It’s a launchpad. A spark to ignite lasting change.

The Growth Mindset of Chanuka

Chanuka teaches us that growth is a process—it’s not about being perfect from the start. Think about how we light the menorah: we don’t start with a fully lit, beautiful display. We begin with just one candle, and each night we add another, slowly building to the eighth night when the menorah is at its fullest, shining brightly for all to see.

Rabbi Moshe Weinberger beautifully explains that people often want to be perfect right away. Whether it’s in relationships, parenting, or personal growth, we expect ourselves to have it all figured out from day one. But that’s not how life works. When we get married, for example, we aren’t instantly a fulfilled, complete family—we have to work together over time to build the family we want. The same applies to our spiritual growth. We need to put in consistent effort to become the people we aspire to be.

Chanuka is a time to start building. We light that first candle and begin to daven, recite Hallel, and thank Hashem for the miracles He performed for our ancestors—and the miracles He performs for us every single day. Just as Hashem brought miraculous salvation to our ancestors during the time of Chanuka, He continues to work miracles in our lives, even in our darkest and most challenging moments.

Miracles, Gratitude, and Momentum

Think about the miracle of the oil. It should have lasted one day, but it burned for eight. The lesson? When you start something, you have no idea how far it can take you.

Chanuka is also a time of gratitude. Gratitude is transformative—it changes how we see the world, how we approach challenges, and how we connect to Hashem. Imagine starting each day with just a few moments of gratitude, recognizing the miracles in your life. It’s a small act, but like the oil, it can sustain you far beyond what you’d expect.

Over Chanuka, we repeatedly say Al Hanisim, thanking Hashem for the incredible miracles He has done for us. But there’s a deeper lesson here: we aren’t just thanking Hashem for the miracles themselves, but for how He brought us through them.

Rabbi Yechezkel Abramov reminds us that by recounting these miracles over and over, we’re not just expressing gratitude—we’re building our emunah (faith) and bitachon (trust) in Hashem. We’re convincing ourselves that just as Hashem saved us then, He can and will save us now. No matter how hopeless our struggles seem—whether financial difficulties, finding a shidduch, having children, raising good kids, or other challenges—Hashem is capable of bringing miraculous solutions that are beyond our imagination.

Not One and Done

Let’s be honest: Growth, connection to Hashem, and raising good kids aren’t things you achieve once and check off a list. They’re daily efforts, and that’s okay. Chanuka gives us a push—a boost of inspiration and energy—but it’s up to us to take that spark and turn it into steady, lasting light.

Sometimes, getting started is the hardest part. It’s like tearing fabric; you need a little help to make that first rip. Chanuka is our “scissors.” It gives us the opening we need to begin something meaningful. From there, it’s about taking small, consistent steps every single day.

The concept of eruv tavshilin reminds us of this principle: we don’t need to have everything perfectly prepared to succeed. When Yom Tov overlaps with Shabbat, the eruv tavshilin allows us to continue cooking for Shabbat because we started the process beforehand. Chanuka operates in a similar way. We take advantage of these eight days—the opportunities for davening, segulot, and gratitude—and use them to set the foundation for the rest of the year.

Your Next Step: Carrying Chanuka Forward

Here’s a simple way to keep the light of Chanuka alive: Write yourself a letter. Reflect on what you learned, what inspired you, and what you want to carry with you into the year. Tape it to the bottom of your menorah, so next Chanuka, when you unpack it, you’ll be reminded of the goals you set and the growth you’ve experienced.

And if you’re looking for a way to bring more gratitude into your daily life, start with something small. My 4-Minute Gratitude program is designed to help you take this lesson and carry it with you all year long. It’s about finding miracles in the everyday and turning gratitude into a habit that transforms your life.

The Final Flame

As Chanuka ebbs away, let’s take a moment to reflect. This isn’t the end of Chanuka—it’s the beginning of something bigger. The light of the menorah is meant to illuminate our path forward, inspiring us to live with more connection, more gratitude, and more purpose.

What will you take with you from Chanuka? What will you start today that could last far longer than you ever imagined? The light is still burning. It’s in you! Use it.May the miracles of Chanuka continue to inspire and guide you throughout the year.

Activity for the Week: Carry the Light of Chanuka Forward

This week, let’s take the inspiration of Chanuka and bring its lessons into our daily lives. Here’s a simple and meaningful activity to start your journey:

1. Write Yourself a Letter:

   • Reflect on the growth and insights you’ve gained during Chanuka.

   • Write down one thing you’ve started or committed to this Chanuka—whether it’s gratitude, davening with more kavanah, or improving a relationship.

   • Include a message to your future self about how you want to build on this over the year.

   • Tape the letter to the bottom of your menorah and store it away until next year.

Weekly Challenge: One Candle at a Time

Chanuka reminds us that growth happens step by step, one candle at a time. This week’s challenge is to choose one small action that brings light into your life or someone else’s. Here are some ideas:

• Gratitude: Begin or end your day by writing down one thing you’re grateful for.

• Kindness: Reach out to someone who might need support, encouragement, or even just a friendly smile.

• Faith: Take a moment each day to remind yourself that Hashem can perform miracles, even in the darkest times.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all at once. Just like the menorah, add one small step each day. By the end of the week, you’ll see how even the smallest lights can grow into something powerful.

4-Minute Gratitude: Launching VERY Soon!

As we reflect on the miracles and gratitude of Chanuka, I’m excited to share a program that’s been on my heart for a long time: 4-Minute Gratitude. This program is designed to help you bring the powerful lesson of gratitude into your daily life in a simple, meaningful, and transformative way.

I know I told you it would launch on the 7th night of Chanuka, and I sincerely apologize that it didn’t happen as planned. We encountered some unexpected technical difficulties, but I want you to know I’m working hard to get everything up and running as soon as possible. I appreciate your patience and understanding!

Here’s what 4-Minute Gratitude is all about:

• One Prompt Per Day: Each day, you’ll receive a brief gratitude prompt focused on something many of us often take for granted, helping you reflect on Hashem’s blessings in your life and program your mind to automatically see more.

• Quick Exercise and Reflection: Each prompt includes a simple and quick exercise to help you connect with the gratitude theme.

• Just 1–4 Minutes a Day: The entire program is designed to fit seamlessly into your day, taking no more than 1–4 minutes to complete. It’s quick, meaningful, and transformative.

This program is your opportunity to carry the light of gratitude from Chanuka into every single day. The more we practice gratitude, the more we’ll see the miracles already present in our lives—and open ourselves up to even more.

Sign up now so you’re ready to get started as soon as the program launches! Let’s take this small, powerful step together and see just how far it can carry us.

See what others have to say about the program on the “Sign up” page.