THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH OF TEVES
Breaking the Cycle of Darkness

Dear Friends:
     We are entering the month of Teves, the darkest period of winter. 
     On the Tenth of Teves we fast to commemorate the beginning of the siege of Jerusalem at the very onset of our present 2000-year-old Exile.
     Teves also contains the end of Chanukah, the unique Yom Tov of Exile, the only holiday that begins when the moon is waning. 
     What is more, at this darkest moment in the year, we are reading in the Torah the story of the descent of our People into Egyptian Exile. 
     Surely it is no coincidence that all these signs of darkness occur together. 
     How do we break the cycle of darkness?

     Let's open our hearts, friends, and take a deep breath. 
     Why are we really in Exile? Is it because the nations hate us? Is it because the United Nations and the media bash us? Why do they hate us? 
     What does the Torah say?
     Why did our ancestors descend into Egypt? 
     Is it not because of one thing alone?
     Is it not because the brothers sold Joseph! 
     Is it not because of causeless hatred among us? 
     The Talmud itself tells us explicitly that "gratuitous acts of hatred… destroyed the Second Temple." (Yoma 9b)
     My friends, the nations are surely culpable for their hatred, and they will be judged by the All-Seeing One for every action and even every thought! 
     But in practical terms, how do we end the Exile? 
     To end exile forever is in our hands!
     It is much harder to take the burden upon ourselves than to assign blame to our enemies, but in fact the day we become one again and correct the ancient enmity of the brothers, that day – that exact moment! – we will witness the end of our long Exile!
     It's not a political but a personal process, and every one of us has the power to bring it about!
     The sign is Chanukah.
     How do we dispel the darkness? 
     Our Sages decreed as the eternal observance of Chanukah, for us and our children, one thing: TO KINDLE LIGHT IN EVERY FAMILY, EVERY JEWISH HOME!

     Achieving unity, bringing our nation together is hard work. 
     Let's make no mistake: it's not for the other guy, it's for me to kindle the light! It's much harder than blaming others. If I harbor gratuitous animosity toward my brother or sister it's hard work to try to wipe it out, or even to admit it exists! But that's what brings light into our world. When I say "Chatassi, I am wrong" then I bring myself closer to my brother and light up the world. It can happen quickly, but we have to do the work.
     This is our task today as Jews: to become one nation, one family again, and in unity return to G-d. 
     Then we will see peace in Israel! 
     One day at a time, one friend at a time, one brother, one sister at a time, lighting those candles one by one until we see a world blazing with the light of unity within our family and with our Father in Heaven! 
     May Teves become a month of light and happiness!

                                                                                                 Roy S. Neuberger