Rabbi Rachael Klein Miller’s Chanukah Message for 2025

Counting Up — and Counting Down

As of this writing, 249 of the 250 living and deceased hostages have been returned to their families. We Jews are accustomed to counting up — to increase holiness and light in our world. Yet with our beloved hostages, we have found ourselves counting down, longing for the day when the number reaches zero. I pray that by the time these words appear in print, that sacred count will be complete.

To reach zero would mean that we could fully, with all our soul and all our might, rejoice in the growing light of our menorot this year. The Talmud records the famous debate between Beit Hillel and Beit Shammai: should we begin Chanukah with eight lights and decrease, or begin with one and increase? Beit Hillel’s view prevailed and so today we add light each night. This sacred call to increase light, reminds us that joy begets joy, and that we possess the power to expand Jewish light and hope at this season.

In the year ahead, may we be a people who count upward: in the glow of our Chanukah candles, in the days from Pesach to Shavuot, and in the mitzvot that bring joy to ourselves, our communities, and our world.’

Rabbi Rachael Klein Miller is an Associate Rabbi (and part-time Tot Shabbat rockstar) at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs.