The Prayer, is a duet shared by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis. I hope it helps you to enter Shabbat comforted by divinely inspired music and lyrics.
Shabbat Shalom
Let us pray for the hostages scheduled to be returned tomorrow and that those remaining in captivity will come home soon.
#BringThemHome
Hazzan Harold Messinger shares the words from Psalm 93, the traditional close of Kabbalat Shabbat. Immerse yourself in the sound of the mighty waters.
Shabbat Shalom
#BringThemHome
“Tamid Ohev Oti”- Always Loves Me is a very popular song, covered by groups here like Six13 to major performers in Israel. Yair Elitzur’s original version is here.
Its an uplifting song of hope, love, and faith. I’ve share the translation below, but enjoy the music as we welcome Shabbat.
Shabbat Shalom
May those in harm’s way be protected from the storms. Whether it is the fire of nature or war, may you find a haven, and may the horrors afflicting you end quickly and peace come to you.
May we have the courage to reach out with love and support to those in need and offer solace to those in despair. May these acts of loving kindness spur us to understand the power of humanity and the need for us to care for each other.
~Amen
We offer Eshet Chayil verses from the Book of Proverbs at the Shabbat Table. We are grateful for the “woman of valor,” the specialness of our life partner.
The Shvesters bring these verses to life in a beautiful song.
Shabbat Shalom
#BringThemHome
One of the horrors of the current war is the holding of the hostages. Their predicament is hopeless because their freedom depends on some level of trust, and there is no trust.
Israel and Hamas are avowed enemies. Each is dedicated to the destruction of the other. There is no middle ground, no reconciliation, no peace. With this at each core, trust cannot exist.
Hamas has fully embraced the “civilian as a weapon” idea. To give up the hostages means giving up one of its most potent weapons. The hostages have been used as shields, and many believed as a bargaining chip. But without trust, there is no incentive to use this bargaining chip, and once it is used, nothing is left. Hamas does not trust that Israel will live by an agreement; they believe Israel sees an agreement as only the means to obtaining the release of the hostages, nothing more. Once the hostages are returned, Israel will continue to prosecute the war.
Israel has displayed its commitment to destroying Hamas. As Hamas cannot be appeased, it must be eliminated. Israel has a long memory and believes in retribution. It does not trust Hamas. Israel thought it could permit Hamas to exist as it did not pose an existential threat and accepted a tenuous ceasefire. Then, October 7 happened, and whatever trust existed was shattered.
A ceasefire is a lull until it ends, and the warring begins again. This is part of the cynical lack of trust, but it is one of the few things both sides can agree upon.
War is usually fought to capitulation. One side is defeated unequivocally. The victor then dictates the terms of surrender and peace over the vanquished. This may not be possible. But until these two warring parties have more to gain by ceasing hostilities and learning to co-exist, the death and destruction will continue.
I pray that the current negotiations might prove me wrong and that the hostages will be returned. And perhaps peace might be seen as an alternative to hatred and carnage.
Some of us have decided to keep the Chanukiah lit as a sign of hope for the hostages to be released. The lights in our window burn to remind the world that cruel kidnappers still hold our people, and we need them to come home.
#BringThemHome
We should pause and reflect on Jimmy Carter and the gift that was his life.
President Jimmy Carter engineered the peace between Israel and Egypt, and we are indebted to him, if only for that.
He was an exemplar of morality, committed to peace and human rights, and striving to improve the world.
During the High Holidays, we reflect on the balance between Din and Rachamim, the strictness of law and compassion. Many have thought Carter was too compassionate and not strong enough. Nowadays, the world seems to be seeking “strongmen” as leaders. We lose something when our leaders cannot access humanity and compassion.
As President and throughout his life, Carter was a remarkable human being, a consequential force for positive change in our world.
May his name be for a blessing.
Six13 shares its Jewish version of Defying Gravity.
Wishing you Chag Urim Sameach, Shabbat Shalom and the bringing of peace.
#BringThemHome
How do you light the Chanukah Menorah?
As you can imagine
, this was a discussion among the Rabbis. The Talmud famously pits the House of Shammai against the House of Hillel, our preeminent first pair of rabbis.
Do you light one candle the first night and increase another candle every night until all are lit on the eighth day?
Or do you light all the candles on the First day and decrease the number until you reach one candle?
Most of us know Hillel won that argument, so we increase the light with every passing day.
Do you use Applesauce or Sour Cream when you eat latkes? They never decided on this argument, so we do both! (actually, I am pretty sure they never engaged in this discussion- I am making it up)
Do you light one Menorah for the family, or does everyone get to light their own?
Did you know the Menorah we use for Chanukah is called a Chanukiah? (it is an eight-light, plus Shamash, candelabra as distinguished from the seven-armed menorah used in the Temple).
Do you put the menorah in your front window for the community to view?
Why do I always seem to lack the right number of candles?
And when I buy candles on sale after Chanukah, I can’t remember where I put them for the next year.
Last but not least, is it Chanukah, Hannukah, or Channukah, Hanukah, Hanukkah, etc.?
We can get all caught up in both the fun and serious questions as we determine how we want to celebrate our holiday. But remember it is about celebrating the holiday.
It is a time of celebration and rededication. We remember the story of Jewish victory, which instilled pride in our heritage and gave us strength and confidence as we face seemingly enormous challenges today. We spend time with our family, sharing the light’s glow, the pleasure of the food, and the fun of the games. May your Chanukah be wonderous!
Chag Urim Sameach, Happy Hanukah!
