Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"In commemoration of the Maccabees' victory against an evil ruler who sought to destroy the Jewish people, and of their subsequent reclaiming and rededication of the Temple, the rabbis of the Talmud instituted the practice of kindling the Hanukkah lamp, which we now commonly refer to as the Hanukkah menorah. They said the lamp must be placed where it can be seen from the outside, to 'publicize the miracle' of Jewish survival at a time when all could have been lost. This placing of the Hanukkah menorah somewhere visible - in an open doorway or in the window - is considered a crucial part of the mitzvah, the divine commandment, of lighting flames each night.

"There is, however, an exception, the Talmud tells us: We refrain from publicizing the miracle in times of danger.

"Safety is the most important thing. We're not required to invite peril into our homes.

[...]

"A quarter of Jewish Americans in a American Jewish Committee poll said that they avoid certain places, events or situations because of fear of being attacked for being Jews, and 31 percent said they avoided 'wearing or displaying things' that would identify them as Jewish. They are trying not to publicize, to proclaim, to make themselves a target.

"Jews who are scared have a right to be. The harm we have suffered these past few years is real. The danger to us today and tomorrow is real.

"And yet. Maybe we still need all the light we can get."

-- Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, "Hanukkah calls Jews to light the darkness. This year, we need it even more", The Washington Post, 2019-12-18 (unless you've run out of free WP articles for the month, I recommend reading the whole thing)

To my friends lighting the first candle tonight, happy Hanukkah! I wish you both joy and safety,