On the final day of Chanukah, Mesorah High School for Girls was privileged to welcome Mrs. Chani Rodin, a parent of a current Mesorah student, Tehilla, 11th grade, and Mesorah graduate, Rachelle, (class of ’24), who shared a thoughtful and inspiring message with our students—one that beautifully captured the depth and lasting power of the Yom Tov.
Mrs. Rodin began by reminding the girls that miracles come in all sizes. While we often focus on the dramatic, historic miracles of Chanukah, she emphasized that the small, everyday miracles are just as real—and just as meaningful. Our challenge, she explained, is learning to notice them.
To bring this idea to life, Mrs. Rodin shared a powerful mashal:
Miracles are like a light connected to a dimmer switch. The light is always on—but how brightly it shines depends on whether we turn the dial. Hashem’s presence and kindness are constant; it is our awareness that determines how much we see.
She then offered a deeper perspective: a miracle is not a break from nature—nature itself is the miracle. The regular rhythms of life, the consistency of the world, and the quiet ways Hashem sustains us every day are wondrous, even if they often go unnoticed.
Mrs. Rodin concluded by emphasizing the significance of Zos Chanukah, teaching that it is not merely the end of Chanukah but its climax. The light reaches its fullest expression, making it an especially powerful time for tefillah, reflection, and setting intentions to carry Chanukah’s inspiration forward.
The students walked away uplifted and thoughtful, with a renewed sense of gratitude and awareness—ready to keep the light of Chanukah glowing long after the candles are extinguished. ■
