For eight nights in a row, we light the Chanukah candles. Each of the eight candles we light has a

thought behind it. A story to tell. But there is one candle in particular – the ninth candle known as the

shamesh – which we use to bring light to the others.

The shamesh has no night of its own. An unsung hero, the shamesh lives only to ignite its fellow candles.

It has no agenda. It only concerns itself with spreading the holiness so that it can shine brightly and

illuminate the darkness.

It is the shamesh that should inspire each of us this year to do what we can to light up the world, to

serve our fellow Jews, and to help bring Moshiach, may it come speedily and in our days.