Why I Light Candles

I loved Hanukkah when I was young:

Eight days of presents, what’s not to like?

But then I grew up.

I lived alone.

Who was I lighting the candles for?

Not me,

I didn’t care.

The Hanukkah menorah was for families

And I don’t have children.

And it’s a fire hazard!

So screw that.

But then I thought

What if I did the Hanukkah thing anyway?

What would it feel like?

So one year I lit the candles every night, for eight nights,

As an interesting experiment.

And every night, each time I struck the match,

I found there was a reason:

I lit the candle as an homage to my childhood.

I lit the candles because if pagans and Christians can celebrate the winter solstice, why shouldn’t I?

I lit the candles because a friend was having a latka party.

I lit the candles because fire is pretty.

I lit the candles because I used to have a crush on Judah Maccabee.

I lit the candles because I get to have Hanukkah even if I don’t have kids.

I lit the candles because, well, it was the seventh night so I lit the candles.                                                                   

I lit the candles because of all the other Jews all over the world lighting candles.

So now

When I need to see 

In the darkest of times,

I light candles.

Brucha At Achat, 

Baruch Atah Echad, 

Bless the One-ness, 

Blessing us

As we encircle time and space with meaning. 

Amen