Sviva Israel | Hannukah Eco Lights 2009-5770

Tonight we are delighted to bring you the thoughts of two dynamic personalities affecting young Jewish life today, Jim Shane and David Abitbol. Writing from different continents, with different voices, they bothlook at our responsibility to protect the world we live in.

Hag Urim Sameach!

Jim Shane, Boston

The hope for jobs and a better future for ourselves and the Jewish People is directly connected to the light of the menorah. It is an alternate source of light in itself, but is a symbol of what is needed to green our earth, to free ourselves from the hands of our present day oppressors. Every incandescent light bulb needs to be eliminated, every water heater wrapped, all un-weatherized structures weatherized, inefficient heating systems replaced. New solar, wind and ocean power sources need to be developed. Millions of jobs would immediately be created just in these few efforts.

We will soon reach the eighth night of Chanukah, the brightest the menorah will be once again, lighting the way to new initiatives, new hopes and new expectations. It is up to all of us to look beyond the shadows and see a new direction for ourselves, the United States, Israel and all of the Jewish People around the globe.

If we are to be the "Light unto the nations", we must embrace our responsibility in not only our moral leadership, but our greening leadership as well. We need to not only be the Light but also lead the way to change the light.

May our menorahs of this Chanukah be the torches that the light the way to a better future for all.

Jim Shane is a Board Member of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Life on Campus.

David Abitbol, Jerusalem

There have been a number of reasons that have been cited whereby one may connect Hanukkah to environmental concerns. The most obvious, of course, relates to the miracle of the oil whereby a one day supply of oil was made to last for eight days. One can't help but think of how this reflects the reality of a world with scarce resources and how we need to do our best not to waste this precious bounty. Taking that a step further, to quote Rav Adam Sandler, "Hanukkah is... the Festival of Lights."

Light has often served as a metaphor for knowledge and wisdom and when we light the Menorah, we are meant to put it on display, so that the light shines externally, once again symbolizing the transmission of our joy at the rededication of the temple, the glory of God and our received wisdom. This wisdom teaches that while man has dominion over nature, it is still a sin to be wasteful or destructive. So, just as Hanukkah is a celebration of the rededication of the Temple, so to can it spur us on to rededicate ourselves to the protection and preservation of God's creation, both for our sakes and the sakes of our future generations.

Now I'm no Rabbi, but I recall Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai saying "if you have a sapling in your hand, and someone should say to you that the Messiah has come, stay and complete the planting, and then go to greet the Messiah." No need to wait for the Messiah though. As one lights the Hanukkah candles, meditate upon the light and ask yourself what you can do today to help the environment.

David Abitbol is the Founder of Jewlicious, a leading blog about Judaism, Israel and pop culture.