A Hanukkah celebration in Istanbul. Photo: provided.

Winter is upon us, and the New York winds bring a bone-rattling chill. In the midst of shorter days and longer nights, we stay inside our homes as a reprieve from the inclement weather. And then Hanukkah arrives just in time to sustain us.

We begin by lighting one candle and add an additional candle for eight consecutive nights. Each night, the menorah grows brighter, bringing greater warmth into our home and hearts.

We are reminded that the light that emanates from the wick of a candle defies a law of nature — the law of gravity. Each candle serves as a reminder of our own propensity for spirituality. We are reminded of the greatness, the awe-inspiring self that exists within each person.

We are reminded that anything is possible. No external or internal barrier can diminish us. The cracks that we may view as flaws in our personality or dark spots in our lives are often the places we need God and our community the most.

Through latkas, dreidels and Hanukkah parties, the holiday is both poignantly internal and externally implemented. The Hanukkah candles ignite a fire within — a light which is then to be shared with others.

May the light of each Hanukkah candle fill you with joy, peace and serenity.

And here are eight quotes that may do the same:

1. “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” — Leonard Cohen

2. “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.” — Marianne Williamson

3. “Look at how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness.” — Anne Frank

4. “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.” — Helen Keller

5. “Cause you get lighter the more it gets dark…Cause in a sky full of stars, I think I see you.” — Coldplay

6. “A little bit of light dispels a lot of darkness.” — Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi

7. “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.” — James Keller

8. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.