Rabbi Jill’s Latest Blog Posts
Embracing Uncertainty: Cultivating Hope
Hanukkah Night 8: We light all the candles! I am sad to see Hanukkah 2024 end. The lights of the menorah have increased every night. My social media feeds are filled up with light. The unique menorahs, lit by diverse families from around the world are amazingly joyful. This Hanukkah with its sparkling light has …
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The Joy of Jewish Learning: A Hanukkah Reflection
Tonight’s guest post was written by Rabbi Oren Postrel, a friend and colleague. On this seventh night of Hanukkah, he talks about how we find joy in Jewish study and learning. R. Jill The Path With Heart community continues to kindle the bright flames of Hanukkah. Over the past seven nights, we have looked at …
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Gratitude Lessons from Hanukkah
You may be challenged to find gratitude when the world is burning. Our greatest spiritual teachers encourage us to find gratitude in even the smallest things. This practice builds our resilience and endurance so that we won’t be consumed by grief and fear. As we come to the sixth night of Hanukkah, with the increasing …
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Hanukkah Night Five: Dedicate Yourself
The word “Hanukkah” – חֲנֻכָּה – means “dedication“. Tonight is about remembering and affirming what dedication means to you. The lights on our hanukkiah (menorah) are not only for beauty. They should serve as a reminder of our core values and the meaningful actions we take to uphold them in the world. In This Time …
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Hanukkah Night Four: Miracles
Tonight We Light Four Candles. The holiday of Hanukkah’s primary symbol is the miracle of light. In the second century BCE, the army of Antiochus IV Epiphanes desecrated the ancient temple. A small army of Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, regained the temple, they wanted to rededicate and purify it. They found a tiny bit …
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Hanukkah Night Three: Memories Bring Light
Tonight we light three candles PLUS the Shabbat candles! You light the Hanukkah candles first, and then the Shabbat candles. Tonight’s focus is on Memories and how they can bring light into our lives. Memory holds a central place in Judaism because it connects us with our history, values, and identity. We remember how we …
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Hanukkah Night Two: Increase Your Light!
Yesterday, we reflected on how the Hanukkah candles inspire us to seek light in our lives. Tonight, we shift our focus to the idea of increasing our light, bringing warmth and brightness into the world that sorely needs it. Lighting the Hanukkiah (Menorah) each night for eight nights is the central ritual of Hanukkah. We …
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Hanukkah Night One: Seek The Light
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah occurs in the darkest time of the year on the 25th night of the Hebrew month of Kislev. In 2024, the first night of Hanukkah is Wednesday, December 25th. Our theme for this year’s Hanukkah is “Bring Your Light.” Sign up for our Hanukkah emails, which you will receive in …
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