We lit all the lights. What now?

Chanukah is over, but the menorah’s light needs to keep growing all year long. [Chabad.org]( By the Grace of G‑d [Fifth of Teves]( 5784 - Dec 17, 2023 Dear Friend, Wow. After steadily intensifying its holy light, Chanukah reached its luminous crescendo last week — and then seamlessly gave way to the holy light of Shabbat. But what now? What do we do this week? And next week? Do we just let the world go dark?! Certainly not! The light of the Menorah must continue to shine! We need to keep brightening the world year-round, by steadily increasing the divine light in our own lives, and by encouraging others to do so, too. Every additional mitzvah we perform, each new Torah insight we study, and every Shabbat we observe, will illuminate our lives and our surroundings, and enrich the whole world with spiritual radiance. This is also why I’m writing to you now to ask for your help. Chabad.org has been met with unprecedented demand, and we must urgently increase our capacity to help increase light and holiness in the world. The barbaric attack on our brethren in Israel has brought to the surface the very depth of our souls, something we feel in our bones: No matter the flavor of our politics, where we live, or our level of observance — The Jewish people are all one! The cry of pain and collective anguish of Simchat Torah (October 7th) jolted us all awake and revealed our truest selves — our souls, and brought our essential unity, our true oneness with one another, to the fore. We’ve since been rawly and viscerally sharing in each other’s pain, and unabashedly delighting in each other’s joy. And with our souls revealed and aflame, countless people of all types and ‘shapes’ seek to connect also with their timeless shared heritage! Here at Chabad.org, we've been simply deluged. People are querying us non-stop about G-d, about faith, and about their religious observance. They’re rediscovering our timeless Torah and embracing actionable mitzvot. And they’re sharing more light and warmth with ever wider circles. In honor of our brothers and sisters in Israel, many families across the globe are experiencing for the first time the transcendent light of the weekly Shabbat candles. Many want to affix kosher Mezuzah scrolls to their doorways. Others are learning how to put on Tefillin or they’re acquiring a personal letter in a Torah scroll. Many others seek to increase in giving Tzedakah (charity), and to help others in need. Here’s just a little sampling of the non-stop messages we received during the last two weeks: “I am embarrassed to write this. I always considered Chanukah to be for children, so I haven’t lit the menorah in decades. Can you help me do it now? This year I want to light the menorah together with Am Yisrael.” “I am anxious and scared of the war. I worry about anti-semitism; I worry whether we’re going to survive in this increasingly hostile world. What can I do to breathe?” “I live in Israel and have attended too many burials and shivas to count…. How can I re-fortify myself to continue doing this? And what words of comfort can I say to families that have been hurt so hard? How can I give them strength?” “I'm homebound and I struggle to move around, but I want to put up a mezuzah to proclaim my solidarity and to protect my home. Can you assist me in getting a scroll and to put it up?” “Can you help me volunteer in the Gaza envelope? Or in the North? I’ll do anything. I just want the people and the soldiers to know that we are all with them.” Precisely like the Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, of righteous memory taught after some of Israel’s prior wars — the cry of collective pain and anguish that emerged from the barbaric hate perpetrated on our brothers’ and sisters’ bodies and souls has evoked from within us a volcano-like surge of proud Jewish identity and practice. At Chabad.org we are trying to do everything in our power to support the massive spike of interest in Judaism, Jewish life, Torah, the wisdom of our sages, and practical observance of G-d’s mitzvot. People want to connect, study, and learn what it means to be Jewish. Can you help them with a gift of $36? Your partnership with Chabad.org will create a meaningful connection for so many. You will help offer the enduring wisdom of the Torah and the life-altering power of Mitzvot to those searching for meaning, crucial life tools, and a deeper sense of belonging. Your generous gift will enable this vital light to shine, to touch lives and strengthen our global Jewish community; and to share transformative light, wisdom and unity far beyond the Jewish community, too. As the 2023 tax year draws to a close, your support in any form — be it $36 or any amount that works for you — helps light the flame of Jewish spirit, sacrifice, and resilience; and helps to brighten our darkened world. [PLEASE DONATE NOW!]( If you'd like to send a check, please do so here: Chabad.ORG | 770 Eastern Parkway • Suite 405 | Brooklyn, NY 11213 (Please also [remember Chabad.ORG in your will]( Please do what you can to support these efforts. Your gift will go far to make sure that the message of the menorah, the light of Judaism, the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the resolve of the Jewish people shines brightly. Thank you for your consideration, and most of all, thank you for being part of this wonderful light unto the world. Let us all [pray to G-d that He]( protect and heal our brethren in the Holy Land; guard each of our selfless IDF soldiers and crown their efforts with true long-lasting peace and security; and bring all of our captive brothers and sisters home safely and swiftly to their families. With blessings for success in illuminating the world year-round with the Chanukah light, and with prayers that the bright lights of Chanukah illuminate your life and bless you and your loved ones with good health and material and spiritual abundance, On behalf of all of Chabad.org’s countless beneficiaries, Rabbi Zalman Shmotkin Executive Director P.S. Today, the 5th day of Tevet on the Jewish calendar, is a particularly auspicious day for the aforementioned resolutions — to increase light and goodness in our own lives and in the lives of others. [Learn all about this special day here]( and be sure to join in some of its unique customs, including to [purchase Jewish books]( for your home. P.P.S. By directing a year-end gift to Chabad.org of $36 or any amount that’s right for you, you will help people everywhere who seek guidance, insight, information, inspiration, meaning and a listening ear. Your gift will ensure that people get the support they need. Here’s where you can go to donate: [www.chabad.org/give](. Thank you! If you would prefer not to receive any further emails about the 2023 End of Year fundraising, please go [here]( to tell us. --------------------------------------------------------------- You are receiving this email at {EMAIL} because you have indicated that you would like to receive periodic communications from Chabad.org, or have recently used one of our services. If you would rather not receive any more emails for this campaign, please [go here]( to be removed. To be removed entirely, [go here](. If your email address is changing, please send us your new email address [here](. [Chabad.org]( · 770 Eastern Parkway Suite 405 · Brooklyn, NY 11213