Being appreciative of life’s daily miracles

What constitutes a miracle? To many, a miracle is an amazing phenomenon that seldom occurs. It’s a rare yet marvelous serendipity that is remembered for years to come. Miracles are the celebration of the holiday of Hanukkah, which will be observed this year from the night of Dec. 6 through Dec. 14.
Observed every year for eight days and nights, Hanukkah commemorates several miracles that occurred during the second century B.C., when the Syrian-Greeks took over the land of Israel, defiled the Holy Temple and outlawed certain Jewish religious practices. A small group of Jews known as the Maccabees revolted against the Syrian-Greeks, and despite being outnumbered, won and took back the Holy Temple.
When the temple was rededicated, the small jug of oil remaining miraculously kept the menorah (grand candelabra) burning for eight days. To celebrate these miracles, Jewish people light the menorah every night of the holiday to commemorate that miracle. Each night, an additional candle is added, as the holiday elevates in holiness. Foods fried in oil are eaten to commemorate the miracle of the oil and presents are given to celebrate the holiday. Special prayers are recited throughout the holiday to commemorate the miracles of then and now.
Although we typically think of a miracle as an extremely rare occurrence, in reality, these amazing phenomenons happen every second of our existence. The ability to do something as mundane as use the restroom is a miracle in and of itself, and something we take for granted until the given ability is taken away from us. The complexity of the human body is astounding and our mere existence is miraculous. Unfortunately, we don’t appreciate God’s daily blessings of health, security and property until we lose them.
This Hanukkah, let us all be cognizant and appreciative of the daily miracles and blessings bestowed on us — especially those we take for granted.
This holiday season, let us appreciate the things that matter most — our friends and family — and vow never to need a personal or communal tragedy to remind us of God’s many miracles that we take for granted.