Hanukkah Night #7: Grateful
Tonight we light the 7th candle of Hanukkah. All throughout this holiday, we have been collecting the ways we actively bring light into our lives, or how we recognize the light. Every night we light one more candle, following the principle of gradually increasing the light (Talmud, Shabbat 21b:5) The experience of being grateful fills …
Hanukkah Night #5: Books & Movies
Tonight we light the 5th Chanukah candle. Here’s tonight’s question: What are 5 books that have been influential or made a difference to you this year? This year, my selections represent the kind of learning and comfort I needed. Here is my list for this year with a quote from each one: Braiding Sweetgrass, Indigenous …
Hanukkah Night #3: Music & Poetry
Tonight we light the 3rd candle for Hanukkah. Each night we are responding to a different question related to how we bring light into the world. Our question tonight is: What 3 musicians, poets, or artists inspire you? This past year has been challenging, as we have continued to live in the unknown. Seeking inspiration …
1st Night Hanukkah: 1 Thing You Know For Sure
Hanukkah begins in the darkest month of the year. We light the menorah (hanukkiah) for eight nights but we begin with just one. Each night, we increase the light by adding one new candle. Hanukkah means “rededication.” Tonight, we dedicate our lighting to deep knowing. It is hard to believe that we are still in …
Why Rosh Hashanah? Why Now? Who Cares?
Why Rosh Hashanah? Why ritual? Why come at all? (PS it begins Monday September 6 – yes, on Labor Day) Because — in the midst of our “tsunami of tsuris” an eloquent phase my colleague Rabbi Leah Herz coined – there is comfort in coming together. Simply being present with each other. Hearing healing music. …
Spiritual Journeying: Counting the Omer
Counting the Omer is a spiritual practice that is profound and transformative, universal and entirely personal. It is the next step in the Passover experience as we move out from our newfound freedom and journey into the wilderness. This year, in 2021, we start with day one the evening of the second seder, March 28. …
