are saying that we believe enough in
the Zionist dream to make our chil-
dren fight for it as soldiers in Tzahal.
When we teach and enforce values
that clash with peer culture, such as
steering our kids away from guns, vio-
lence or inappropriate television and
movies, we risk making them unpopu-
lar among their friends. Though we
may be reluctant to involve our chil-
dren in such risks, as Hannah teaches
us, it is indeed our duty as parents to
inculcate our children with values
worth fighting for.
At the same time that I am inspired
by this mother's dedication and faith,
one could easily criticize: How can we
be sure that the causes we fight for,
the battles we pick, are the "right"
ones? She clearly believed that she was
carrying out God's will. Yet those who
carried out the horrific attacks of
September 11, and those who contin-
ue to carry out violent suicide attacks
in Israel and elsewhere, also believe
they are acting according to the will of
God. The answer must be that, at
some point, we must abandon the rel-
ativist tolerance many of us aspire to
today. We must be willing to call evil,
evil; we must be willing to do our best
to interpret and carry out God's will
for the good. The Chanukah lights
remind us that, if we truly act in
accordance with God's will, God will
back us up in our endeavors.
The mother and her seven sons are
the example to us that it is the parents
who are willing to take a stand, for
themselves and their family, who will
ensure the perpetuation of our people,
of our values, of that which the Holy
One desires from us. May they inspire
us this Chanukah to rededicate our-
selves to the causes and ideals which
will keep our people alive, and which
will keep our children living in a bet-
ter world. As we light the Chanukah
candles this year, may each flickering
flame remind us of our individual and
collective responsibility to live our
lives as an example; to be an Or
LaGoyim, a light unto the nations.

,

Moosejaw celebrates Fordy
Pratts and Leed Mame,
the world's first team to
ummit Mt. McSaba while
holding hands.

Moose. gve

❑

--Rabbi Amy Ruth Bolton is
affiliated with the Jewish Hospice and
Chaplaincy Network. She is also a
community . educator, who teaches for
Eilu v'Eilu and is a mentor for the
Judaic Enrichment Early Education
Project (JEEEP).

13irrnin2hum

East Lansinv,
Grosse Pointe
inoosejak‘.com

Chicao

Deerfield

11/23
2001

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