Light your menorah with pride. Think about what re-dedicating yourself to Judaism means to you. And I mean you, not what someone else tells you it means. We are a tribe, and think in “we” but sometimes we have to think what “we” means to “me.”
read moreIn thinking about Kislev, I went right to the dreidel and the Hanukkiah. I decided that if I had to pick one, it’s the Hanukkiah (but I may explore the other dreidels later in the month!) The Hanukkiah is the nine-branched menorah that we light on Hanukkah. Even though we generally just call it a menorah, not all menorahs are for Hanukkah! The menorah, which is an ancient symbol of the Jewish people is actually seven branched. If the menorah is considered “the most central role of all the sacred vessels, for it is the symbol of light,” and a symbol of spiritual illumination — then it’s safe to assume that this is also the role the Hanukkiah plays. Hanukkah is a strange holiday because it’s not only post-biblical, but also two holidays smooshed together. I guess we have a lot of holidays that are two smooshed together, though. Most commonly Hanukkah is the holiday that celebrates the victory of the Maccabbees over the Greeks, and the “miracle of the oil.” It’s also a Winter Solstice (Tekufat Tevet) holiday, that acknowledges the darkness of the year and returning of the light. That’s actually found in ancient midrash, it’s not just some modern “new agey” thing. It’s even one of the stories I included in the Hanukkah Haggadah! The lighting of the Hanukkah menorah offers wonderful opportunities for spiritual refreshment and renewal. This year, toss away the annual debates over whether or not Hanukkah is important or just a reaction to Christmas. Don’t worry about the ethics of celebrating the victory in a war (and that the Maccabees were total zealots, who probably would have killed many of us too…). Embrace our own holiday of lights at its root level — light. What do you want to light up? What areas of your life, your heart, your soul need light? Dedicate your entire Hanukkiah to bringing light into an area in your life. Let each candle represent a step along the way, and watch the...
read moreI originally published this in 2006, but felt like it was worth surfacing again. The theme of sacrifice and offerings is an ever present one for me, and has recently returned as a focus, particularly in my artwork. As I got ready for my day today, I heard those who lead my country, and many others in the world talking about the need to make sacrifices — but none of them really willing to do so. Across the globe we face economic, health, and humanitarian crises. The day a politicians stop worrying about being re-elected or maintaining their party’s power, and just does the right thing – may be the day we usher in the era of Moshiach. —— RE-DEDICATION Once we had The Temple where we made sacrifices of precious blood and grain. Now we we have temples where people pray, but few truly give offerings. The darkness. The darkness. The darkness. ~Doesn’t the light always return?~ The light, it does return? ~It does return.~ Hanukkah? ~חנוכה~ The lights. We light them. The light returns. We light the lights to remember. We light the lights to re-dedicate the temple or The Temple? ~Where is The Temple?~ Isn’t She everywhere? Is She the שכינה, the Presence? Isn’t the Presence everywhere and in everything. ~Yes~ Then I re-dedicate The Temple here. ~נס גדול היה שם~ Yes, but I am here –פה I r e a c h to others who feel as I do. And one becomes many. I becomes we. We together, reclaim our inheritance. We re-dedicate the Earth, אדמה, as Temple. We pour offerings of sweat, not blood. We pour offerings of grain and oil. We pour offerings of praise and care. We care for our Temple, Our Holy of Holies, Through every action we take. We light the lights… ~And it begins again~ [originally published December 14,...
read moreA fully formatted, printer-ready PDF format of the Hanukkah seder is available for just $5 in my Etsy Shop. Purchases support my work both financially and spiritually, by letting me know you appreciate and are using the work. Overview Elements: Water (have) Fire (need) Themes: Re/Dedication, Heroes/Heroines, Light in the Darkness, Power of the Individual, Things that are Hidden What’s Hidden: Things under the water, Jews in the Greek Empire and Pure Vial of Oil, The laws of nature and the sun, Judith’s motives in camp of Holfernes Four Stories: Leviathan, Maccabees, Adam at Solstice, Judith Four Courses: Soup/Fish, Olives, Root Vegetables, Cheese This seder is intended for the eighth night of Hanukkah, as all eigth candles are light during the seder (but I think you could also do it on the first night). It’s also a great way to celebrate the Winter Solstice (Tefukat Tevet) in a Jewish way, whether it falls during Hanukkah or not! Unlike Passover, there is no break for a meal in this seder. After each section, a dish is served which corresponds directly to what has just happened. There are also food blessings before most courses. If you are traditionally observant, please feel free to modify the food blessings to follow your own practice. Wine is not called out here specifically, but it would be perfectly appropriate to include wine with each course. Another change from the format of a Passover seder is that there is no specification as to who should read what parts. I leave that to you to decide. You can designate certain parts for a leader or just go around the table having each person read a section. I hope you enjoy Hanukkah/Solstice seder. Please feel free to leave comments and share your experience with it....
read moreGet this widget! I think I’ll add new presents each day of Hanukkah under this menorah — just like at home. One thing I promise, no six packs of socks! Seventh Present Happy Winter Solstice! Here’s a collection of Jewish winter solstice stories to light your way through this dark night Thanks to Jason at Wild Hunt for posting this gorgeous picture! Sixth Present Unwrap a little Matisyahu — nothing like a hipster Hasid! New album comes out on December 26th. Fifth Present Fourth Present Artist Shoshanna Bauer is on a mission to paint 50 paintings in 50 days. She painted this beautiful menorah on the first day of Chanukkah. What a lovely gift she gave us all! Third Present If you haven’t checked out Chanukkah in Story and Song — do! It’s a mixture of story and song that was produced by NPR a few years ago. Leonard Nimoy, yes that Leonard Nimoy, does the narration and the Western Wind Ensemble does the music. I have several Jewish holiday CDs produced by the Western Wind Ensemble with Mr. Nimoy’s narration — all are fantastic. Second Present And if you know any feminist, goddess Jews — Leonard Nimoy’s book Shekhinah is a great gift choice. Warning — more traditional Jews may be offended by it, so please be sure that the recipient will actually appreciate it. I love it, but my Mom (who gave it to me) was a bit confused by it, although not offended. [tags]hannukah, chanukkah, gifts,...
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Healing Herbs in Judaism
