Last Night, 5775

The last night of Hanukkah found us in our seaside sanctuary enjoying the warmth of the fire, sharing warm conversation, and toasting with a tasty champagne concoction invented by Liz. We had fun trying to capture the cool hanukkiah acquired in one of our forays into antiquey shops in the last year.

5th, 6th, 7th Nights of Hanukkah, 5775

"Ma-oz Tzur Y’shu-a-ti Le-cha Na-eh L’sha-bei-ach 

Ti-kon Beit T’fi-la-ti V’sham To-da N’za-bei-ach..."

"O mighty stronghold of my salvation, to praise You is a delight. 

Restore my House of Prayer and there we will bring a thanksgiving offering..."

These nights were spent at our new and very comfortable quarters in Spanaway. One night, Liz made latkes trying our a new gluten free recipe that was most excellent. Alex came to visit, home from Wyotech for the holidays, and we enjoyed an outing to see the new 'Exodus' movie.

3rd and 4th Nights, 5775

I am so very grateful at this season for the Holy One's kindness to me and those I love so much. 

1st and 2nd Night, 5775

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe, who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and allowed us to reach this season.

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melech ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh. 

Tu B'Shvat 2012

 What a wonderful time we had... remembering... it was the best celebration of the festival ever!

Blessed are You, Adonai, our G-d, King of the Universe, 

Who has sustained us and brought us to this season...

Festival of Lights... and Friends

A wonderful time of celebration this year - a blessing it was!

Blessed are You , Adonai

our G-d, King of the Universe,

who sanctified us in His mitzvot

and commanded us

to rejoice in His steadfast love.

Hanukkah 5772 (2011)

"And (we thank You) for the miracles, and for the salvation, and for the mighty deeds, and for the victories, and for the battles which You performed for our forefathers in those days, at this time." ~The Al HaNisim

This year marks our 13th year of celebrating Hanukkah in our family.  This year marks our second year celebrating outside a community of faith.  This year, I want to take time to really think about our traditions - passed down from one who taught me well and through the centuries since the events of the Maccabees.  True, it's not one commanded in the Scriptures, but it is one that has become a welcome commemoration each year.

Each night, we light the candles in our hanukkiah and recite the verses chosen to fit along with the traditional blessings.  We eat latkes, sufganiot (jelly donuts), and other delectable treats all for the purpose of remembering what our G-d did for our people so long ago.  A few brave Israelis overcame thousands of foes cleansing the Temple of the desecrations and rededicating it to the Holy One of Israel.  That's the pattern of our people - overcoming the enemy against all odds.  Of course, we did not do it on our own strength but by the power of our Most Holy G-d.

So, as we say at all these kinds of celebrations:  They tried to kill us.  We won.  Let's eat!

Hanukkah circa 2000

Redemption Against All Odds. Throughout the ages, Chanukah has signified the miraculous triumph of the weak over the strong, the pure over the impure, the righteous over the wicked. No matter how dark the night, the Chanukah lights proclaim with confidence that the dawn of deliverance is near.  ~Anshe emes

Some thoughts I found worth pondering from Rabbi David Schuck:

The light of the candles can also illuminate within us things that we carry around, hidden from ourselves and others. Things like jealousy, cruelty, insensitivity, and insecurity. They are difficult to see so we prefer to keep them anonymous, in the darkness of the deep wells of our soul, unseen and invisible. This is a way of denying their very existence. It can be terrifying to see these things because we become overwhelmed with the feeling that we will not have the power to change them, or even scarier, that we will not have the compassion to accept that they are a part of who we are. But if we keep them in the dark, they fester and grow and begin to take up too much room in our hearts and souls, pushing more and more light out.

circa 2004

"We thank Thee for the miracles, the redemption, and the triumphant victories, and liberation which Thou hast wrought for our fathers in days of old at this season."

Chag Sameach, my friends!

for more worthwhile thoughts on the festival, click HERE.

He Has Brought Us to This Season...

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, shehechehyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higianu laz'man hazeh.

Our praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of all: for giving us life, sustaining us, and enabling us to reach this season.

 

Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech haolam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu leisheiv basukkah.

Our praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of all: You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to dwell in the sukkah. 

The Most High G-d has brought us to this season of Sukkot.  I am so very grateful for all that He has brought us through in this last year of the festival cycle.   Wow... a full year now.  The journey has had so many twists and turns that I can't even begin to put down in writing all the swirling memories in my heart and mind.   I can say with assurance, though, that we're in a new season with much change ahead, new memories to make, new and renewed relationships to foster, many opportunities to serve.

I see a swirl of memories, old swirling into new.  All to add to this journey we call life - this walk of faith that presents unexpected turns with every step I take.  The heartache is still there, receding and coming to the front again as I trek along.  Three steps forward, two steps back... may every step bring glory to the Master and keep my focus where it belongs - in the present, with wisdom learned from the past to be applied in the future.

We are commanded to rejoice - let it begin!  May His Name be praised - Chag Sameach!

L'shana Tovah!

Tonight begins the Fall festivals as we gather together for Yom Teruah, also known as Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of our year.  We are commanded to sound the shofar and observe a Sabbath rest.

"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD '"  ~Leviticus 23:24-25

"...Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
His is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the G-d of Jacob.
When G-d went out against Egypt,
he established it as a statute for Joseph..."  ~from Psalm 81

Traditionally, we've taken time as a community to thank HaShem for His many blessings of the past year.  This year was no different except for the fact that I'm now part of a wonderful new community after a horrendous and painful year of separation from my former congregation...

It seems like such a long time since I was actually excited about the Fall festivals - so much angst, heartache, and frustration in past years has overshadowed these joyous times.  This year, for me, is truly a new beginning.  I'm looking forward to this time with more hope and joy than I have for quite some time - old and new friends,  acceptance and compassion.  Healing it is... I am truly thankful.

Tradition has it that we read Psalm 27 in the days prior to Yom Teruah, so join me, if you will, in a time of meditation...

The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?


When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.


One thing I ask from the LORD,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.


Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.


Hear my voice when I call, LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.


I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Thinking about Pesach

This is a year like no other for me, being outside the Land and without a community. I find myself in a strange place - in a state of grieving - more in the diaspora than I imagined.

I came across this poem in my web browsings as I attempt to prepare my heart and mind to celebrate the Pesach seder (Passover). It reminds me of my most recent journey...

Passover

Tell me: how is this night different
From all other nights?
How, tell me, is this Passover
Different from other Passovers?
Light the lamp, open the door wide
So the pilgrim can come in,
Gentile or Jew;
Under the rags perhaps the prophet is concealed.
Let him enter and sit down with us;
Let him listen, drink, sing and celebrate Passover;
Let him consume the bread of affliction,
The Paschal Lamb, sweet mortar and bitter herbs.
This is the night of differences
In which you lean your elbow on the table,
Since the forbidden becomes prescribed,
Evil is translated into good.
We will spend the night recounting
Far-off events full of wonder,
And because of all the wine
The mountains will skip like rams.
Tonight they exchange questions:
The wise, the godless, the simple-minded and the child.
And time reverses its course,
Today flowing back into yesterday,
Like a river enclosed at its mouth.
Each of us has been a slave in Egypt,
Soaked straw and clay with sweat,
And crossed the sea dry-footed.
You too, stranger.
This year in fear and shame,
Next year in virtue and in justice.

Primo Levi Passover 1982 *Auschwitz survivor

*taken from 'Most Jewish'

A Hanukkah Blessing...

Blessed are You, Adonai, our G-d, King of the Universe,
Who sanctified us in His mitzvot and commanded us
to rejoice in His steadfast love.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven.

*words of Yeshua HaMashiach added to the Hanukkah blessings.

A Time to Reflect...

At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light. Indeed, the physical darkness of this time of year can be a metaphor for the darkness that often envelopes us at times of illness and loss of a loved one, when the world sometimes feels dark and cold. At such times, we yearn for the sun, and the light and warmth that it provides. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.

~Rabbi Rafael Goldstein

As long as Hanukkah is studied and remembered, Jews will not surrender to the night.

The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.

~Irving Greenberg

Thinking of Yom Kippur...

Here are a few quotes I found as I've been thinking about Yom Kippur:

"And the Lord spoke to Moses saying: On the tenth day of the seventh month, there shall be a day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation unto you, and you shall afflict your soul. Do no work on that day because it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the L-RD your God."

"If one fasts for his or her sins and does the same things again, who will listen to his plea? And what has he gained by humbling himself?"

"The work of righteousness shall be peace and the effect of righteousness quietness and confidence for ever."

"Yom Kippur is about personal and community transgressions. The fasting remains a compelling element. The purpose of the ritual observance is to change our ethical observance."

"Who can say 'I have purified my heart or I have been cleansed from my sins?' There is no person on earth so righteous that he never sins! Cast away the evil you have done and get a new heart and spirit."

"Confession, is an essential part of repentance. Repentance cannot be just a fleeting thought like other thoughts that come and go in a person’s mind. By confessing one’s sins out loud, it becomes something much more real. A person must come to the complete understanding that the sins he committed are wrong and cannot be rationalized away."

A Festival Prayer

Thank you, O L-rd my G-d, for your abundant provision - You have blessed us beyond measure in more ways than I can express. My heart is so full of praise to You for all that You have lead me through this past year.

Thank you for:


- the blessing of serving those in need
- the opportunity to travel
- the solid, deep, loyal friendships you've given me
- the ability and venue to worship You more fully
- my family with all its foibles
- some answers to challenges I've faced

I pray for peace, strength of spirit, joy, clarity of vision, and wisdom during this festival season.

May we act with integrity in all our dealings and work diligently to do whatever the Master directs us to do whether in word or deed.

May we be quick to repent, slow to condemn, and determined to love those around us as our Master calls us to do.

Let Me Sum Up - No, Let Me 'Splain

Well, the last few weeks have been just a little busy: preparing for Passover and doing the actual seder, going to production practices and the final performances, and our on-going care of our dear friend, Rose.

All in all, the production of 'The Jesus Story' that Liz choreographed the dances for went off really well in spite of her losing her voice by the end. I got to pin headcovers, herd kids, be the gopher, and act as the official photographer. Have to say, it was fun - I've never been part of a production like that before, not to mention it being several years since I was in a church setting. Here are some of the better pics I took:


Then there was our Passover seder. That went off really well! Liz did her usual outstanding job organizing all the details and leading it - and we had by far the hottest horseradish of any other seder in our community. I think this year was even more meaningful than usual due to all the things we're involved in lately. I got a few pics, though being in a brain fog, I didn't get as many as I would've liked.

Then, we continue to see to Rose's care - she underwent a diversional colostomy yesterday due to the advanced state of the cancer in her colon. She's resting as comfortably as she can with excellent care at the hospital. Liz and I spent the day with Rose's oldest daughter waiting. Here's more of an update.

I want to offer thanks to our Master for seeing us through all these things - we are so grateful for the strength and focus to do what He's called us to do. Baruch HaShem!

Now, we're gearing up for our annual post-Passover respite at Norwescon trooping with our costuming friends.

Purim 5770

This year's Purim celebration is over now, and I must say it was a great success! Here are a few of my favorite pics:

Tu Bishvat - What is it?

Tonight our community celebrates the minor festival of Tu Bishvat. Wiki has a nice short definition of it here:

Tu Bishvat ( ט״ו בשבט‎) is a minor Jewish holiday, usually occurring sometime in late January or early February, that marks the "New Year of the Trees" ( ראש השנה לאילנות‎). Tu Bishvat is one of four "New Years" mentioned in the Mishnah. Customs include planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts, especially figs, dates, raisins, carob, and almonds. In Israel, the flowering of the almond tree, which grows wild around the country, coincides with Tu Bishvat.

Granted it's not one of the required celebrations of the Torah, but it's one many of us enjoy observing as it's an opportunity to come together and remember our Land and its place in our hearts. We'll sample many products of the Land as well as share a potluck meal together and join in some dancing, laugh a lot, clean up all the mess, and generally have a good time.

Yet one more opportunity to offer up thanks to our Master for His abundant provision.

Hanukkah Lights

Blessed are You, Adonai our G-d,
King of the Universe,
who sanctified us in His mitzvot
and commanded us
to rejoice in His steadfast love.

Blessed are You, Adonai
our G-d, King of the Universe,
Who did miracles for our fathers

in those days, at this season.

Hanukkah Sameach!

We're into the third night of Hanukkah already this year! We've had two nights of gathering with our community with lots of activity - games, singing, jokes, schmoozing, food (the Lloydkas* were awesome), and celebrating that victory over our adversaries so long ago. Tonight it's just a quiet evening at home with Jacob (Larry's working) - lighting our candles and generally enjoying a low key time.

Here's a taste of our time at shul:



*Lloydkas are Lloyd's special recipe for latkes - as homemade and yet as professional as you can get!

Chag Sameach!

Tonight begins our celebration of Hanukkah. We'll gather for our erev Shabbat meal and light the first candle. Tomorrow, we gather again to celebrate the Sabbath adding in a rousing game of dreidel in the afternoon followed by candle-lighting, entertainment, and our annual hanukkiah contest. We have a full eight nights to light our candles, eat latkes, and spend time celebrating with our families and congregation!

I've heard this festival (and others) summed up this way: "They tried to kill us. We won. Let's eat!" Well, it's a little more involved than that, as we know it is HaShem who granted a miraculous victory against overwhelming odds, but it works!

I am so grateful for His deliverance of our people through the centuries. As Hanukkah means dedication, I once again rededicate myself to my G-d and His people. Happy Hanukkah, my friends!

Check this out for a little more history of this festival!