This lesson is almost so obvious that it’s frequently overlooked.

As you know, operating according to Hillel, we add one candle each night of Chanukah. I want to thank my teacher and friend, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, for reminding me of a not-too-deeply buried meaning here, hiding, as it were, in plain sight.  Each day of Chanukah we need to expend ever more energy, bring ever more light into the world.

Perhaps Chanukah is the template for this message, but it’s relevant to each and every day of our lives.  The human miracle is that the more we give, the more we create, the more we contribute, the greater our capacity grows to continue giving, creating and contributing light to the world.  Chanukah means dedication, and this, indeed, is worth dedicating our lives.