Universal Oneness United Faith Canada

Operating as Universal Oneness Spiritual Center

RABBI’S WEEKLY MESSAGE

December 20, 2025

Seven years

Greetings friends
 
I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful Chanukah holiday.  We all may have eaten too many donuts and latkes, but we need to treat ourselves and celebrate the miracle of the oil.  And coming up this week is the Winter Solstice with the promise of returning light, followed by the second of the Festivals of Light—Christmas.
 
The light of the Menorah reminds us that light grows in our lives and is a perpetual celebration of the victory of the few over the many, the free against the tyrannical, the light against the dark, and forever stands for and represents freedom.  And we will light a candle for those killed in the barbaric terrorist attack in Australia at the beginning of this great festival of rededication.
 
Almost 2,200 years ago, there was a debate between the two primary schools of Rabbinic thought—the school of Hillel and the school of Shammai. 
 
Shammai felt eight candles should be lit the first night, and each night thereafter, we decrease by a candle. This would symbolize that the remaining oil decreased each night.  Hillel felt we should increase the candlelight each night.  It’s not hard to see who won.  Now, the Maccabees did not increase the number of lights that kindled—they just lit the one great light—so why should we?
 
We do it to publicize the miracle. It is believed that our ancient rabbis created the story of Hanukkah—the story that the Maccabees had one day’s worth of oil that lasted eight days—to emphasize the miracle.  Unlike other minor holidays, like Purim, Chanukah was never written about as having occurred.  We know the Temple was retaken, but we don’t know about the oil.
 
And it doesn’t matter if it represents a historical event or not.
 
Our greatest miracle is that we are still standing, still here.  No people have been subjected throughout their history to what the Jewish nation has, and we still stand.  The Jewish nation is not a geographic state, but a state of mind because this is not a national celebration, but a global one.  The Jews of the world are a family unlike any other.  There are no physical boundaries to our unification. We are all connected soul to soul throughout this world and all others.
 
Celebrate the miracles around you, and would that the promise of Christmas—peace on earth, goodwill toward man be realized. If only!!!
 
Maybe that is what we should all be asking Santa for this year.  We are certainly due.
 
This week, we celebrate the freedom of poor Joseph, the Bible’s great dream master, whom we first met at 17.  This week, we read what may be the two most famous dreams in the Bible—the dreams of Pharaoh, which propel Joseph from the pits of prison to the highest position in the country. 
 
As Hamlet said in his famous ” To be or not to be soliloquy—“To sleep, perchance to dream—ay, there’s the rub.”  While he was talking of death, he hit upon one of the great mysteries of man and the mind—dreams.
 
We have seen the impact of dreams in the Bible already, but we do not need to have read them here to know and to marvel at their power, influence, confusion, and majesty.  Their ability to enhance and stand as the focal point of life’s choices.  Where do they come from?  What do they mean?
 
From Joseph to Freud with a quick stop at Daniel – the thought of dreams captivates us all.  Just say the word—Dreams—do we ever tire of dreams, their meaning, their message, their pure power—no.  When we feel blessed enough to remember a dream, we tell all who will listen as we seek the Joseph who can tell us the meaning.
 
We were thrown into the biblical world of dreams last week when we met Joseph – ba’al ha’holomot – the dream master.
 
And this week we see him set upon a path that changes the world.
 
Pharaoh has dreams no one can interpret, and the cupbearer remembers Joseph, who is summoned from the pit.  Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh.  He is now 30.  He is elevated to the position of second most powerful man in the world’s most powerful country, and he has grown.  He explains it is not he who answers the meaning of the dreams – it is G0d and he is simply the conduit.  This is incredible growth. 
 
And he will see his brothers twice during this reading and while he recognizes them, they do not recognize him.  Why should they?  He is dead.  He will play with them like a cat with mice, and we will continue to see karma take shape for the intentions and actions of the past.
 
Enjoy one of the great readings and give thanks, celebrate your freedom, joy.  This episode will be posted on our channel. Click here to watch the Rabbi David Gellman Show in the 2026 cycle.
 
Thank you all for allowing me into your homes, electronic devices, and into your hearts, as you are all with me in mine.
 
Be well, be happy, be healthy, be free, be kind, be forgiving, be compassionate, be independent of mind and deed, be mindful of your intentions, and be good to yourself.  Continue to celebrate freedom of choice in your life, and do not give in to fear. Enjoy the peace that comes from acceptance. As always, if you have any questions or suggestions or just want to say “hi,” please send me an email.  I love hearing from you.
 
Remember, anytime you do not want to receive these anymore, please send me an email so I can remove you.  And know that I truly appreciate you sharing your sacred time with me.
 
Enjoy and celebrate your life and the lives of others, and in doing so, be happy. May you all sow the seeds of and reap the rewards of peace, love, and miracles, and make sure you also celebrate your unique individuality and your incredible awesomeness. 
 
And remember, your world is what you make it.  Just wish upon a star, and continue to be the miracle and angel in someone’s life.  Chag Chanukah Sameach – a Happy Chanukah to all.
 
Blessings, and share your love
 
 
 
RD

 

 

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Respecting our past; Putting faith in your future.

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