blogs/rabbi-huberman

In the days preceding Chanukah, I found myself watching a miniseries on Netflix, which prompted me to ask the question:

Who is your Mr. Shaibel?

Mr. Shaibel is the gruff custodian, who — in the Queen’s Gambit — often languishes in the darkened basement of a Lexington, Kentucky orphanage, playing chess by himself.

He is not your typical hero.

One day, a young girl — a resident — observes him moving both white and black pieces, and asks “I want to know what game you’re playing.”

After some hesitation, Mr. Shaibel replies, “It’s called chess…and girls do not play chess.”

But the young girl insists, and, ultimately, he agrees to teach her. “Let’s play,” he says. “It’s now or never.” And this begins the girl’s long, and sometimes tortured, relationship with chess, which leads her to the world stage.

It all begins with the kindness of a brusque, middle-aged custodian, who -- through one small act — becomes the most influential person in this young person’s life.

In many ways, each of us has a Mr. Shaibel. And if we are fortunate, we can be that Mr. Shaibel to someone else.

Indeed, this week’s Torah portion inspires to us to consider, “Who is the person in your life who has guided you in the right direction?

This is the Torah portion (Vayeishev — “and Jacob was settled”) where one of the most famous biblical figures, Joseph, comes to life. 

Joseph tells his brothers that one day they will serve him. But, soon after delivering bad reports against his brothers and clad in his technicolor dream coat, Joseph finds himself lost, as he looks to rejoin his siblings.

On the journey, he encounters an ish, literally “a man” — who asks him, “What are you looking for?”

Joseph shares that he is searching for his brothers. The man directs him to Dothan, and as they say, the rest is history.

The brothers throw Joseph into a pit. But, he is rescued by Ishmaelites and sold into Egyptian slavery. There, he is falsely accused of sexual assault, liberated from prison, rises to become Egypt’s prime minister, and ultimately provides food to Jacob’s family during a time of famine, thus preserving the future of the fledging Jewish nation.

All this because of the directions of one ish.

Notes the Etz Chaim Bible. “We never hear of this man again….Could that man have known how his chance encounter changed history? Do we ever know how the consequences of the little acts of thoughtfulness we perform?”

Friends, in many ways, this is the darkest time of the year. 

The days have become shorter. We are spending increased time indoors. Many have become impatient or discouraged by world events and the continuing pandemic.

We suffer from a lack of both physical and spiritual light.

But then Chanukah comes along and reminds us that we possess the power to inspire miracles. One candle on the first night, another the following night, in due course leading to a full Chanukah menorah.

It is the ultimate journey of enlightenment.

And, it all begins with one light — lit from the often-ignored “ninth candle,” the shamash.

We are the candles lit by our parents and our grandparents. We are the candles kindled each day by our loved ones — family and friends. We are the product of that one particular person — sometimes forgotten — who pointed the way.

The great commentator, Rashi (1040-1105) wrote that the ish was no ordinary man. Rather, he was the angel, Gabriel. Whether we realize it or not, each of us has been blessed by angels.

Teachers who believed in us. Someone who recognized our potential. A close friend, who encouraged us to break free of a stale job, relationship or point of view. A spouse, a parent, even our children, who inspired us to consider new possibilities.

During this holiday of Chanukah, where we thank God for the miracle of light, we can also reflect upon those who have been our light. 

An encouraging smile, a touch on our shoulder, kind words inspiring us to believe that we can accomplish anything.

That little girl in the miniseries never really thanked Mr. Shaibel in person. She was too busy struggling with her demons. But in that basement in Lexington, Kentucky, Mr. Shaibel never forgot. He kept a bulletin board of newspaper clippings, chronicling all the young girl’s accomplishments.

Ultimately, she lit his life.

For in the end, this entire world is built on light. We awake every morning to it. We exchange it. We bless it. And sometimes we bring it out in each other.

Who is your guiding light? Perhaps think of that person as you kindle the Chanukiah. For within each candle, there is potential. 

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication.” Within our own lives, perhaps it’s time for rededication, as we consider for eight nights and beyond that the world is not as dark as it seems.

Within any synagogue, there exists a Ner Tammid, a light that shines constantly at the front of the sanctuary, usually above the Holy Ark. During times of difficulty or persecution, when we cannot meet in person, where does that light go?

It continues to burn within each of us.

During this time of Covid, where it is not possible for us to celebrate in person with as many as we wish, the miracle of Chanukah can still shine bright as ever.

As we meet on Zoom, as we continue this 2,000-year tradition, let us continue to raise that light. Let us look across the computer screen and embrace the true lights of our lives.

For, family and friends are the true miracles of Chanukah. They continue to inspire us and elevate us through these challenging times, as we find joy, happiness and light through the eternal miracle of Chanukah.

There are millions of miracles out there ready to happen. We do so by spreading light.

How can we be that light to those close to us — or to those who live in darkness? We make the conscious choice to light candles — in essence putting a little more oil in our lives.

Chanukah is a celebration of light that begins with one candle, and increases every night. It begins with the shamash.

Let us remember on this Chanukah who our guiding lights have been, as we are reminded that each of us can be that ish, to ourselves and to others.

Indeed, Chanukah reminds us that each of us can be that light.

Shabbat Shalom. Happy Chanukah

Rabbi Irwin Huberman

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