Chapter 8 – The Rededication of Light

Chapter 8 – The Rededication of Light

As the sun graced the mountaintops to the East, GingerSnaps stirred in her brumation chamber. Confusion lingered, surely spring had graced the world with flowers and the awakening of cute little turtle girls. Fidgeting and feeling thirsty, she awaited the awakening world .

Levi bounded out of bed, his anticipation for the final lighting of the Hanukkiah palpable. Bittersweet, it marked the peak of the celebration yet signified another year until its return. When the days are shorter and colder, the bright lights of Hanukkah are so very welcome. They dispel the gloom that often accompanies wintertime.

Glancing out the window, Levi felt the heaviness of disappointment. His wish for snow had not materialized. In fact, just the opposite. It was supposed to be a record high of 80 degrees that day. Exhaling louder than a freight train in the house, he exaggerated a slumping walk to the kitchen table. The family tried to muffle their amusement.

Savta Kohen remarked, “It appears Hanukkah refused to put on her flowing, velvety white robe.”

After a scrumptious breakfast, Levi helped Nonna Cantarini tidy up the kitchen. They sang happy songs together and somehow it made the morning chores seem less like work. One was from an animated show Levi watched when he was younger.

Singing loud and proud, “And if you follow Hashem’s commands, there will be peace throughout the land.” Levi, caught in the moment, asked Nonna a thought-provoking question, “Nonna, do you think it was Hashem’s judgment on Yisrael, that all these bad things happened on October 7th?”

Nonna, both shocked and saddened at the depth of Levi’s ponderings, chose her words with care. “I do not know the answer to that question, but it’s crucial to be cautious with such thinking unless Hashem has spoken. From my childhood, I’ve known people who hated our family simply because we were born Jews.”

Baffled, Levi questioned, “What should make people hate us?”

With calm wisdom, Nonna replied, “We are Hebrews, chosen by Hashem with specific instructions on how to live. Our lives are meant to reflect His light to the nations, inviting them to join us. Yet, to the nations, our ways seem strange. Some keep their distance, while others aim to extinguish the light. For thousands of years, groups have tried to remove us from our homeland, but a remnant of our people have always remained. Those of us dispersed to other nations, we faced disdain for our unusual ways. Rumors breed hate, and conspiracies, even if rooted in truth, often spiral into lies. Be cautious about what you believe, as lies breed hate and hate begets violence. This is why we should not speak Lashon Hara; once spoken, we lose control of its impact.”

Levi absorbed Nonna’s words, convinced in that moment that she was the wisest person alive.

He pressed, “So do you think it is Hashem’s judgment?”

Nonna responded, “Violence against our people stems from the hearts of men.”

Levi, with great intention, shared, “I want my heart to please Hashem!”

Nonna’s smile rivaled the sweetness of her cannolis, “Tonight, on the 8th night of Hanukkah, let’s rededicate ourselves to pleasing Hashem. The Feast of Lights is also the Feast of Rededication, commemorating the Maccabees’ fight to save our people and restore the Temple.”

Levi felt a sense of accomplishment with their outstanding idea, hoping the family would share his excitement. If only GingerSnaps were awake to brainstorm with him.

As the day’s warmth embraced the backyard, Levi ventured outside, a melody already dancing in his mind. GingerSnaps’ water dish needed refilling, and it was the perfect time to serenade her with his ocarina. His abba joined him, performing their weekly ritual of checking on the little dinosaur.

With careful hands, Abba lifted the lid on GingerSnaps’ brumation chamber. The sluggish gaze that met his eyes raised concerns etched on his face. Levi noticed his abba’s furrowed brow and couldn’t hold back his own anxious inquiry.

“Abba? What? Is something wrong?”

Despite abba’s attempt at reassurance, his actions spoke louder. Swiftly, he pulled out his phone, dialing the vet. Levi, now holding GingerSnaps, cradled her close, humming his soothing song. An unspoken worry hung in the air.

They took a moment to carefully weigh GingerSnaps, a routine check crucial during brumation. The concern grew on Abba’s face.

Inside, they worked to warm GingerSnaps, with Ima diligently tending to her soaking dish. Abba carefully placed her in the warm water, instructing Levi on the regimen.

“We need to change out the warm water every 15 minutes for the next 2 hours. Set your timer,” Abba explained.

Levi, torn between fear and hope, finally sought a private moment with his abba.

“Abba, what’s wrong with her?”

“Levi, she’s somewhat dehydrated. The last few days have been warmer, and she just needs a good soaking to rehydrate. The vet said this is common, and that’s why we check on her weekly. She should be fine. But we cannot feed her,” Abba assured him.

Levi’s initial panic eased into a hopeful smile, and he rushed back to play a cheerful tune on his ocarina. The air lightened as GingerSnaps rehydrated, becoming more herself by the minute.

“Is it Springtime?” she asked Levi.

“GingerSnaps, it is December, and tonight is the last night of us lighting our Hanukkiah,” answered Levi.

“Oh, can I stay up to see it?” she excitedly pleaded.

Levi sought permission from his parents, forgetting they couldn’t hear her words, only her chirps. Seeing her happiness, he translated her request.

“Abba? Ima?” Levi asked.

“What, son?” they responded in unison.

“GingerSnaps wants to know if she can stay up to see the last lighting of the Hanukkiah tonight?”

Abba and Ima exchanged glances, then smiled. Given the warm day and GingerSnaps’ improving condition, they agreed, though it depended on how she felt after more soaks throughout the day. She could enjoy the Hanukkah lights before returning to brumation tonight.

Levi snatched up GingerSnaps when she was done soaking and took her to his room. He told her of the talk with Nonna earlier and asked her to help think of a symbolic way to rededicate themselves to obey Hashem, tonight. At last, they came up with the perfect plan! Each person would take a turn sharing their commitment, in a circle.

Sunset was approaching. GingerSnaps eagerly awaited the lighting of the Hanukkiah. It was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. All the family hugged and wished each other a Happy Hanukkah. The joy filled the room like fresh popcorn popping open the top of its container.

Levi started out the rededication ceremony with Torah in hand, committing to living it. He wants to reflect Hashem’s LIGHT to make this world a place Hashem would be pleased to dwell.

Each family member took their turn to rededicate their life in some significant way to Hashem.

Last it was Mr. Kohen’s turn.

“I have already discussed this with your grandparents and ima. I was going to wait until after Hanukkah to break this news to you, Levi, but since we are doing something symbolic: I am returning to Israel to fight for our people and our homeland of thousands of years. Your grandparents will remain here with you and your ima to help watch over both of you in my absence until I return home. AM YISRAEL CHAI!”

And the entire family cheered, “AM YISRAEL CHAI!”

Levi’s emotions were tense. He was both proud of his abba, but also scared. He blurted out, “I want to go fight beside you, please abba!” The entire family was moved, and everybody shared in tears and hugs.

GingerSnaps was quite shaken by the words of abba and the reaction from Levi. She piped up,”Abba, will you be here when I awaken in the spring?”

Levi translated her question to abba. Abba responded, “Hopefully, the war ends quickly and I am home before you awaken. But if not, the family will be in Israel for Pesach. Ima will have to check and see if she can bring you to Israel, too, for a visit.” 

GingerSnaps looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a missing piece. She felt incomplete at the thought of abba leaving. After all, abba was the one person in the home who always reassured her that she was “still cute” no matter the messes she got into. Even when she popped up from of her substrate with her dirt hat piled high on top of her tiny turtle head.

“What about my turn to share,” GingerSnaps inquired.

Levi had never considered that she might have a rededication, too.
“Oh, GingerSnaps hasn’t had her turn yet,” Levi reminded the family.
The family exchanged glances of appeasement and awaited GingerSnaps commitment.

“Go ahead, GingerSnaps,” Levi instructed, “It’s your turn.”

GingerSnaps cleared her throat, signaling that she had something important to share. Levi leaned in, captivated by his sweet turtle companion. Her excitement seemed to burst at the seams, making this, in her TINY TURTLE MIND, the happiest day of her life.

With nervous courage, she began to sing to the tune Levi had played for her daily on his ocarina, the words heartfelt and a reflection of their cherished moments together. She rededicated herself to gratitude for Elohim and her mishpacha.

In that moment, Levi knew that nothing could ever change the sweetest friendship of his childhood. He lifted her gently, embraced her warmly, and expressed gratitude for the most beautiful song he had ever heard.

Levi’s ima, observing the sweet exchange, realized that not only had Levi rescued GingerSnaps, but she had also liberated him by bringing him out of his shell.

Saba Kohen then reminded Levi of one last Hanukkah gift from his cousin David. As Levi tore off the paper and opened the box, his eyes twinkled in amazement. His eyes darted back and forth through the package’s contents. Tears streamed down his face, yet his smile illuminated the room like the Hanukkiah. “Oh, WOW! How could he have known? This is perfect!” Levi looked up at his family.

Leave it to cousin David; somehow, he managed to surpass all the other gifts Levi had ever received. The anticipation lingered in the air as Levi marveled at the unexpected present.

Finally, with his voice quavering from the excitement, he revealed what had him choked up.

What do you think is in the box?

To be continued in Book #2 of the series.

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