Shabbat Shalom

As we enter the last Shabbat of 2025, I share Auld Lang Syne, the famous song of this time of year, written by Scottish composer and poet Robert Burns.  It asks us to remember that our humanity and our kindness are expressed in our relationships with others.  As we move into the new year, resolve to love others, treat them with dignity, respect, and compassion. May we find ways to forgive others and ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom

 

The complexities of Menorah Lighting made simple

People have been asking me how to light the Hanukkah Menorah, or Chanukiah. Should you light from left to right or right to left? And is that perspective from the person lighting the candles or from the window where others see it? Who knew it could be so complicated! Of course, this assumes we’ve already answered other questions: do we light all the candles every night or just one additional candle each night? Do we all light the same Menorah, or does each person get to light their own? Oy!

But the answer is that we have our opinion on the proper way for it to be done, which is as follows:

Facing the Menorah, we light the candle for the newest night, then light the rest of the lights. Our tradition says we should say the blessing and then do the thing for which we said the blessing immediately afterward. But because there are at least two blessings (three on the first night), many of us light while the blessings are in process.

But the most important rule of all is that we participate in the Hanukkah celebration by lighting the candles.

So, how do you light the Menorah?

With intention!

Chag Urim Sameach- Happy Festival of Lights

Chag Chanukah Sameach, Happy Hanukkah

Chanukah

We prepare for the first night of Hanukkah, deeply shaken by the murderous assault on Bondi Beach and at Brown University.

The wanton hatred and violence are almost overwhelming. But we must find a way to gather this evening around our chanukiot, light our candles, place them in the window, and be with each other, letting the miracle of rededication take hold with an additional layer of meaning, overcoming the darkness of the moment and shining a light of love and hope.

Chag Urim Sameach,

Rabbi David Levin

President

The Board of Rabbis of Greater Philadelphia

 

Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

As we welcome Shabbat, Chanukah is just beyond.  The Shabbat Candles of Friday will be followed by the first lights of Chanukah on Sunday eve.

Six13 shares a delightful medley blending Wicked music with great Chanukah lyrics.  Enjoy!

Lean into the light this season and experience the warmth and glow of our tradition.

Shabbat Shalom

Share your Blessings

Giving Tuesday flooded my email inbox. However, my inbox has been filled with so many “asks” that I now delete messages without even reading beyond the subject line. It may sound like cynicism and a bah-humbug attitude that could prevent us from giving tzedakah, but that is not the case. We are required to give and support others in need—clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and caring for the widow and orphan—these are at the heart of Jewish responsibilities.

Our great teacher and sage, Maimonides, taught us that we must give. It is clearly an obligation. But he asks: do we give our money to one cause or distribute it among many? Maimonides favors giving to many, even though the impact is smaller; it helps us to become more charitable if we make it a regular part of our practice.

Michael and Susan Dell recently announced a $6 billion gift to aid 25 million children. Inspired by the Save America plan to give $1,000 to each child born over the next two years, the Dells also aimed to support already born children up to age 10 with a savings fund. If you do the math, this amounts to about $250 per child invested in an S&P index fund. It might not seem like much, but it’s more than these children had before. It’s about instilling hope and providing a link to a system many of these kids aren’t connected to. Hopefully, other billionaires will follow suit and use some of their vast wealth to help those who are among the have-nots.

Now, for the billionaires among us this evening, I am confident you have already put these plans into action. Thank you. But the rest of us (who aren’t billionaires) can follow suit. A small contribution may not change the world, but it could help someone when they need it most. Chanukah is a time for Jewish renewal and rededication. Our commitment to helping others is central to our tradition. Support the causes you believe in. And by giving, we not only help others but also enrich ourselves by gaining a sense of purpose.

I fondly remember the Jerry Lewis Telethon. As a kid, I couldn’t wait to call in. I saved my allowance and made a $10 donation. I eagerly watched to see my name scroll across the bottom of the TV screen as donors were announced. I felt a rush of excitement as I waited for the moment it became official. And in that moment, I knew I had done something good.

We are taught ‘Kol Arevim zeh bah zeh,’ meaning we are all responsible for each other. When Cain questions God at the very start of our story, asking, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” God responds loudly and clearly, yes.

This holiday season,  make sure you give what you can to help others and yourself as well.