“The human soul is a divine lamp.” (Proverbs 20:27)
The act of lighting the Chanukah menorah contains the entire purpose of every human being.
Because every human soul entered this world for one reason alone: To be a lamp. To bring light wherever there is darkness.
When you give people faith in themselves, in their future, in the sanctity of their own souls, you have not only brought them light—you have made them into human lamps.
You have given them their purpose.
The quantity of oil in my personal lamp will last for 8 days before it needs to be replenshed. This is because the quantity required in the holy temple's 7-branched menorah (including a small amount for accedental loss), was originally much more, but due to the miraclous decision to use it less quickly and light only one wick, it will prevail. This is the unique choice we make today-- namely greater economy.