By Rabbi Dianne Cohler-Esses, Romemu, New York, NY
יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי הָרוּחת לְכָל בָּשָׂר . (Numbers 27:16)
Adonai, the God of the Spirits of all Flesh:
Our ancestors lit a flame in the dark ruins of their desecrated holy place.
They found one small flask of pure oil sufficient to light the eternal flame for one day. They had the courage to kindle that flame, even though a day is nothing against eternity --- one flash of light nothing against a sky of everlasting darkness. Faith in Your saving power gave them hope when reason led them straight to despair and darkness.
When all is in ruins around us, when your holy image is desecrated on this earth, when our most sacred dreams are violently trampled, and nothing on this earth resembles hope, give us strength. Give us the strength of our ancestors when we feel abandoned and desperate; lend us their courage when we are terrified.
Give us the courage to light one small flame, even if only to illuminate one dark night. Teach us that all is possible with Your might and power even when nothing is possible with ours.