Wellsprings B�H
Winter 2014 / Chanukah 5775
Guide & How To
For Chanukah 2014
A Time to
Light Your Child’s Way
Chanukah
On a Dime
The Ordinary Miracle
A little nosh for the soul compliments of Chabad of the Lehigh Valley.
Dedicated to the Love and Inspiration of the Lubavitcher Rebbe OB”M
Wellsprings
Dear Friends, Chanukah has always been special. It brings back warm feelings and memories. A mother’s delight when the latkes are grabbed up. A grandfather sitting by the menorah lights. A mircale that happened so long ago. Chanukah is the holidays that always makes us proud. We put the menorah in a visile place for everyone to see. People who are not Jewish know of Chanukah and recognize it, it is on every calendar. It is a time when our Jewishness is unabashadly displayed- healthy Jewish pride that we are able to exercise with our rights to relgious freedom that our lovely country affords us. In this day and age, we must make the lights brighter than ever. Whether we are lighting giant menorahs in the streets or setting candles near our windows, we spread the feeling of pride in our faith, pride in belonging to the Jewish people, and pride in being a part of a free nation.
Have a Warm and Happy Chanukah, Rabbi Yaacov Halperin
Torah Studies: A Weekly Journey into the Soul of Torah
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Your 2014
Chanukah
The Chanukah lights are lit in the evenings preceding each of the eight days of Chanukah, beginning with Tuesday night, December 16, 2014, after nightfall. Please see the section “Special Shabbat Requirements� for special instructions regarding lighting the candles before Shabbat.
Guide
What’s Chanukah All About? Light Overcoming Darkness
Alexander the Great was the leader of the Greek Empire who by the age of 21 had conquered most of the known world. He respected the Jews. He didn’t want to wage war against tiny Judea; he only required heavy taxes. the Talmud details many conversations that young Alexander had with the Jewish Sages, many of whom traveled to Greece to tutor royalty. After Alexander’s death, the Greek empire was split into three territories: Greece, Egypt and Syria. In 175 B.C.E., Antiochus IV rose to power over the Syrian territories, which included Israel. The Syrian Greeks, called Seleucids, were not interested in coexistence, but in assimilation. The Talmud, the Book of the Maccabees, Josephus and other works detail the events of Chanukah. Antiochus IV sent his ministers to force Greek culture on the people of Israel. Most Jews conformed. What else could they do against the might of the empire? The Zohar says of this period: the Greeks darkened the eyes of Israel with their decrees.”
is to remind us that even in our darkest moments, we have the potential to illuminate if we kindle a flame.
Just Another Conquered Tribe
Antiochus IV did not build ghettos, force conversions, or set out to annihilate the Jewish people, as Pharaoh or Nebuchadnezzar had plotted before him. Neither did he intend to destroy their culture. Instead, he outlawed the
Fewer in Strength and Numbers
Hellenism, the Greek culture, meant accepting its pagan gods and Greek philosophy. Jews who were sympathetic to the Hellenistic view quickly gained power and prominence. But many Jews remained loyal to their beliefs. Eliezer, a Kohen (Jewish priest), was executed because he refused to abandon his Jewish faith. Many Jewish women were murdered for having their sons circumcised. Seven sons of Hanna, a simple Jewish woman, were put to death for refusing to bow down to pagan gods.
“Whenever we do a mitzvah we become G–d’s autograph on His masterpiece, declaring for all that this is not a jungle where the strong devour the weak. It is a beautiful garden, Despite the fact that the Maccabees were fewer in filled with the light of its Creator.” strength and in numbers,
The festival of Chanukah is about light overcoming darkness. Our world is currently experiencing a particularly dark time. We have become apprehensive, even about opening the letters in our mailbox. Our sons, daughters, friends, and neighbors are half way around the world, fighting an enemy that has no borders. “The soul of man is a lamp of G-d”(Proverbs 23:27). Our challenge, whether we are on the front lines, or fighting rush hour at home, is to bring light into the world. The reason the Chanukah candles are lit after nightfall
observance of specific mitzvot (Divine actions), predicting that when the Jews would cease to observe these, it would lead to the end of Judaism as a unique religion and nation. He wanted the Jews to be just another conquered tribe. And so, he declared war against their souls. The Greeks were great philosophers. they acknowledged the mitzvot as part of a great culture, and the Torah as a great work of Jewish literature. What they would not tolerate was that “G-d, Creator of the Universe, ordained the practice of these mitzvot.” The Greeks set out to have the Jews forget “G-d’s Torah,” and to cease observing “G-d’s commandments.” Whenever we do a mitzvah, we become G–d’s autograph on His masterpiece, declaring for all that this is not a jungle where the strong devour the weak. It is a beautiful garden, filled with the light of its Creator.
they stood up against the oppressor with complete faith in G-d’s mercy. One lesson of Chanukah is that when we resolve to introduce spirituality into our lives, G-d assists us well beyond our limitations. G-d tells His children, “Make for Me a small opening, like the eye of a needle, and I will open for you an opening through which caravans can enter”(Midrash). We simply need to begin the process for G-d to help us attain what which we perceived as unattainable.
A World Without a Creator
Antiochus IV outlawed three specific mitzvot and rendered their practice punishable by death. These mitzvot were “Shabbat,” which is a testimony to the fact that there is a Creator Who rested on the seventh day; “Blessing the New Month,” which determines when Jews can sanctify their holidays; and “Circumcision,” which imbues holiness into the human body. The spiritual ghetto that Antiochus IV tried to force on the Jewish people was a world without a Creator, time without sanctity, and people with no connection to the Divine. Though a person might have a burning desire to be spiritual, a concrete action is needed to ignite a flame. Lacking the oil of genuine substance, one’s passion can quickly fade, failing to introduce any enduring light into the world. A life without mitzvot is like a wick without oil—it yields little or no light.
victory in the battlefield was miraculous, but it was physical, limited by time and space. The miracle of the oil, which enabled the Jewish people to resume the service in the holy Temple, was spiritual. Jews around the world emulate this miracle and spirituality today by observing Chanukah. The Chanukah struggle is found within each of us. Chassidic teachings explain that we have two souls. One soul is drawn to the spiritual, the other to the physical. We may reconcile this duality by being involved with the material world, but toward a spiritual end.
ks e e Gr hat e th ss t t ha oline .” t s” his h ukah s e There are nine branches on the Chanukah menorah, even lin t is t Chan o h though Chanukah is celebrated for eight days. The “ nd i of s ninth branch is the “shamash”, the servant i s A t h t y. gh candle, which stands apart from the i s o l r a t other candles. This candle is lit t w o des in the I t so that when we make use of “ d ted e s l the Chanukah light, we do so i e f fa ani from the shamash, and not from is m the eight Chanukah flames. “ … These eight Chanukah flames are kodesh (holy). We are not permitted to make use of them, only to gaze at them” (Chanukah liturgy). Th e Hebrew word “kodesh” literally means separate and beyond. In Judaism, although we can appreciate holy objects and observances on many levels, they are essentially higher than our nite understanding and perception, since they are rooted in the Innite. It was this “holiness” that the Greeks failed to destroy. And it is this holiness that is manifested in the lights of Chanukah.
Israel was Finally Free
Mattisyahu the Kohen, and his five sons, began to challenge the Greek strongholds with a group of followers called the Maccabees. Historical sources estimate their numbers at 6,000, while Antiochus IV sent 40,000 troops to overwhelm them. Yehudis, a young widow, used cunning tactics to assassinate Holofernes, a vicious Seleucid general. After significant losses in the cities of Shechem and Beit Choron, Antiochus IV sent an additional 65,000 troops. The Maccabees fought bitter, yet intelligent battles that are studied by military tacticians to this very day. After three years and thousands of lives, Israel was finally free. On Chanukah, we celebrate two miracles: the victory of the Maccabees over the forces of Antiochus IV in the battlefield, and the miracle of the oil, which burned for eight days. The
This is one reason why there are so many mitzvoth in the Torah, all of them involving physical action. When the physical is engaged for spiritual purposes, the conflict is transformed into peace and harmony. A world of peace begins with inner peace. When one makes peace within, it has an effect on his or her home, environment, and eventually the entire world.
Kindness is Contagious
The name “Chanukah” is rooted in several different, yet related, sources. It comes from “kah,” the Hebrew equivalent of 25, and “chanu,” meaning rest. It is also connected with the words “inauguration” (chanukat) and “education” (chinuch). On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees rested from their battle. they marched victoriously into the holy Temple in Jerusalem, ready to reinaugurate the holy service. they would forever serve as role models, or educators, to future generations.
What does a soul look like? Look at the flame of a candle. The wick and candle anchor a flame; a physical body grounds the soul, forcing the soul to do its job, to give light and warmth. Th e human body, precious and holy, is likened to the holy Temple. Kindness is contagious. When our soul tells our body to do a kind deed, both the soul and body are aected. Eventually, other souls around us awaken and influence their bodies to do the same. Before long, we create an international epidemic of kindness. This is one reason why the Chanukah menorah is placed where it can be seen from the street, either in the doorway across from the mezuzah or near a window, reminding us of our duty to share the spiritual light of warmth and wisdom with our surroundings.
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The Symobolism of Oil
Victory turned bittersweet when the Maccabees found that the Temple was desecrated and the pure oil needed to light the menorah was delayed. Miraculously, the Maccabees discovered a single jar of pure oil, with the seal of the Kohen Gadol (Jewish high priest) intact. With this oil, the holy Temple was reinaugurated. Why didn’t the Seleucids just destroy the oil? Oil is a symbol for holiness. It can permeate anything, yet when placed in water, it rises to the top. Delayed, not destroyed, oil is exactly what Antiochus IV wanted. He allowed the Jews to adhere to their culture and keep their laws, as long as it was “touched” by the Greek ideals and philosophy. Chassidic teachings explain that despite any entity that tries to sever our connection to G-dliness, the essence of a soul can never be delayed. is spark of holiness continuously burns and longs to be fanned into a great flame. Th e universe was created to perpetuate light, and it is inherently good. But there are times when darkness invades G-d’s world. At such times, we search for the hidden “single jar of pure oil” the pure and indestructible spark of Creation, which radiates goodness and holiness.
The Miracle
The Maccabees had done all that was physically possible, but the small jar of oil was only enough to light the candles of the menorah for one day. To prepare more oil would require a process of at least seven days. After defeating the world’s most powerful army and gaining religious freedom for generations to come, the Maccabees were not about to give up. They lit the menorah with the little oil they found, and miraculously, the menorah shone for eight days, plus 2000 years, as Chanukah continues to illuminate our home and world today. Why does G-d perform miracles? Without miracles, such as the oil found in the holy Temple, one might believe that the laws of physics deny reality. However, once we see the inexplicable, we witness a transcendent reality and attain a higher consciousness. We can then look back at physics, point with our finger and realize, “This too is a miracle.” The Baal Shem Tov said, “The difference between nature and a miracle is the frequency.” The Kabbalah teaches that the ultimate miracle is not the splitting of the sea or the sun standing still. It is described as the subtle and, at the same time, dramatic transformation of the universe that will occur with the arrival of Moshiach. At that time, nature itself will uncover its miraculous essence. What is now perceived as a wall between the physical and spiritual will be revealed as a bridge. How can we bring about this miracle? With the light of our collective mitzvot.
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Chanukah How-To
The Chanukah lights are lit in the evenings preceding each of the eight days of Chanukah, beginning with Tuesday night, December 16, 2014, after nightfall. Please see the section “Special Shabbat Requirements” for special instructions regarding lighting the candles before Shabbat.
Who Lights the Menorah?
Both men and women are obligated to light the Chanukah menorah, or to participate in the household menorah lighting. Children should be encouraged to light their own menorahs. Students and singles who live in dormitories or their own apartments should kindle menorahs in their own rooms.
Where to Place the Menorah
Many have the custom to place the menorah in a doorway opposite the mezuzah (such is the custom of Chabad-Lubavitch), so that the two mitzvot of mezuzah and Chanukah surround the person. Others place it on a windowsill facing a public thoroughfare. (If placed on the windowsill, it should be no higher than 20 cubits—about 29 feet—above street level.)
Chanukah How-To Continued... Setting up your Menorah The Chanukah lights should consist of lamps or candles—i.e., a flammable fuel that feeds a visible flame via a wick. The most ideal way to fulfill the mitzvah is with cotton wicks in olive oil, or beeswax candles; paraffin candles or other types of candles or lamps are also acceptable, but not gas lights or electric lights. (If circumstances do not allow the use of an open flame, a proper rabbinical authority should be consulted.)
The lamps or candles must contain enough fuel, at the time of the lighting, to burn until half an hour after nightfall. (“Nightfall” is the point at which it grows dark enough for three average-sized stars to be visible—about 20–30 minutes after sunset, depending on the location.) The lamps or candles should be arranged in a straight row, and should be of equal height. The shamash—the “servant” candle that kindles the other lights—should be placed apart from the rest (higher, outside the row, etc.). On the first night of Chanukah, one light is kindled on the right side of the menorah. On the following night add a second light to the left of the first, and kindle the new light first, proceeding from left to right, and so on each night.
What Time to Light the Menorah The Chanukah lights are kindled in the evening preceding each of the eight days of Chanukah. The custom of many communities (and such is the ChabadLubavitch custom) is to light the menorah shortly after sunset; other communities light it at nightfall. In either case, the menorah must contain enough fuel at the time of the lighting to burn until 30 minutes after nightfall. Note: The standard Chanukah candles last only approximately 30 minutes. If using those candles, then light after nightfall every night (aside from Friday—see below). If one did not kindle the Chanukah lights early in the evening, they can be kindled later, as long as there are people in the streets (or others awake in the house).
Blessings to Recite Before Lighting the Menorah
recite blessings number 1 and 2.
On the first night of Chanukah (Tuesday, December 16) , recite all three blessings. On all subsequent nights,
2. Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time. 2. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai Eh-lo-hei-nu Meh-lech Ha-olam Sheh-a-sa Nee-sim La-avo-tei-noo Ba-ya-mim Ha-hem Beez’man Ha-zeh.
1. Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, 3. Blessed are You, L‑rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion. commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light. 1. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai Eh-lo-hei-noo Meh-lech Ha-olam A-sher Ki-deh-sha-noo Beh-mitz-vo-tav Veh-tzi-va-noo Lehhad-lik Ner Cha-noo-kah.
3. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai Eh-lo-hei-noo Me-lech Ha-olam Sheh-heh-cheh-ya-noo Veh-kee-yeh-ma-noo Veh-hee-gee-anoo Liz-man Ha-zeh.
Blessings to Recite After Lighting the Menorah Ha-nei-rot ha-lo-lu o-nu mad-li-kin Al ha-te-shu-ot ve-al ha-ni-sim ve-al ha-nif-la-ot, She-a-see-ta la-avo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim bizman ha-zeh, Al ye-dei ko-ha-ne-cha ha-ke-do-shim, Ve-chol she-mo-nat ye-mei cha-nu-kah ha-nei-rot hala-lu ko-desh hem, Ve-ein la-nu re-shut le-hish-ta-meish ba-hen, E-lo lir-o-tan bil-vad, ke-dei le-ho-dot u-le-ha-leil leshim-cha ha-ga-dol Al ni-se-cha ve-al nif-le-o-te-cha ve-al ye-shu-o-techa.
Translation: We kindle these lights [to commemorate] the saving acts, miracles and wonders which You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, through Your holy priests. Throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are sacred, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to look at them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvations.
1. Sitting by the Lights
2. Chanukah Gelt
One is not to benefit from the light of the candles, only from the shamash and other sources of light. For the first half hour when the candles are burning, it is customary to sit by the candles and tell stories relating to the holiday.
It is traditional to give all children Chanukah gelt (money). Of course, this beautiful custom adds to the children’s happiness and festive spirit. In addition, it gives adults an opportunity to give the children positive reinforcement for exemplary behavior, such as diligence in their studies and acts of charity. Chanukah gelt is given to children after lighting the menorah. The children should be encouraged to give charity from a portion of their money.
Work should not be done in the proximity of the burning candles. Women have a custom to refrain from household work during the half hour that the lights are burning, to honor the brave Jewish women who played a significant role in the Chanukah story.
4. Extra Charity
3. Holiday Foods
Because of the great significance of oil in the story of the Chanukah miracle, it is traditional to serve foods cooked in oil. Among the most popular Chanukah dishes are potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (doughnuts). It is also customary to eat cheesy foods on Chanukah, in commemoration of the bravery of Yehudit.
It is customary to increase one’s daily giving to charity. On Fridays we give double the amount, to account for Shabbat.
Spin theDreidel! A dreidel is a pointy, four-sided top which can be made to spin on its pointy base. There are Hebrew letters on each one of its sides, which stand for deep cabalistic notions but can also serve in small-time gambling. Assuming you’re not a kabalist, you need to know this: Nun stands for nes, miracle. If you roll a Nun you neither pay nor gain anything. Gimel stands for gadol, great. If you roll a Gimel you win everything. Hay stands for haya, was. If you roll a Hay you win half. Shin stands for sham, there. If you roll a shin you lose everything. The game is played by distributing to all participants either nuts, chocolates, or Chanukah Gelt (coins). Everyone places a coin in the middle and someone spins the Dreidel. If the Dreidel stops showing Nun, he neither wins nor loses. If Gimmel, he wins the entire pot. If Hay, he gets half the pot. If Shin, he must put one in the pot. The game then continues with the next person taking his turn, and so on around the circle until someone has won everything. It is of course nice to distribute plenty of consolation prizes so that everyone can go home a winner! Where did this wonderful game originate? Truth be told, it was a game of life or death. The Greek Syrians passed a series of laws outlawing the study of Torah as a religious work. They additionally outlawed many types of ritual commandments like circumcision and Shabbat observance. The Jews were compelled to take their Torah learning “underground,” for they knew, a Jew without Torah is like a fish out of water. In order to disguise their activity the Children of Israel had to resort to learning Torah in outlying areas and forests. Even this plan was not foolproof, for the enemy had many patrols. The Jews therefore brought along small tops that they would quickly pull out and play with after secreting away their texts, so that they could pretend to be merely playing games. This ruse did the trick, and the unbroken tradition of Torah scholarship thankfully remained intact!
Chanukah Schedule
A Time to Light Your
Child’s Way By Elana Mizrahi
I sat down to say some Psalms and pray as my toddler pulled on my skirt. His pulling and pleading become more insistent and I ignored him. I knew his cries were a result of being tired and cranky and I had thought that he could wait. “Mommy needs to pray.” Being ignored only made him more frustrated and he ran over to the bookshelf, a look of anger on his little round face. Looking straight at me, he took a book and slammed it to the floor, hoping to provoke me. I didn’t flinch, which was not the reaction that he wanted. He sat down to cry and I quickly finished praying.
“ignite a spark, captivate, and get their attention” I realized as I put my book down that my prayers had essentially been in vain. Mommy didn’t need to pray, Mommy wanted to pray and there’s a big difference. What Mommy needed to be doing, what her only obligation to be doing, was to pay attention to the needs of her toddler. A friend of mine came to me one day exasperated. She was having a very frustrating day. At the end of her tale she shared with me that she wanted nothing more then to call and talk to her mother, but she said that she couldn’t. I asked her why not. She told me that her mother never had time for her, never listened to her. Even as a child her mother had always been “too busy” to pay attention to her. As a result she simply shut down and stopped confiding in her. She told me that she wouldn’t tell her mother about her day because she couldn’t stand the thought of being ignored - again. From early spring until the fall the Jewish people get caught up in a whirlwind of holidays: Purim, Passover, Shavuot, the fasts of the 17th Tammuz and the 9th of Av and then of course Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, and Simc h a t Torah. When you are in the middle of festivities, planning, cooking, shopping, cleaning, and building, you can more easily reach a feeling of closeness to G-d and His Torah. But then comes the cold winter months of nothingness, and perhaps, distance. However, in the middle of this very darkness, G-d gave us the festival of lights, Chanukah. Chanukah has two very important aspects about it: publicizing and educating. It’s one of the only holidays where we are commanded to actually go out and “publicize” the miracle. I’ll never forget seeing the large Menorah proudly standing in the middle of Union Square in my native San Francisco. I continue to be captivated by the lights as my husband and I walk the streets of Jerusalem, admiring the wicks of the many Menorah’s flickering from the
windows and doorposts of every home. Publicizing is an easy component of Chanukah to understand, but what does it have to do with education? The word “Chanukah” means inauguration and has the same root as the word “leChanech ”- to educate and “Chinuch” - education. In the middle of the dark winter months, G-d performed miracles for us. He enabled a few Jews to win a war of survival against the huge Greek army and he enabled the amount of one day’s worth of oil to burn for eight. Of the two miracles, we publicize the one of the burning oil. What happens when you light a candle in the dark? It illuminates everything and grabs your attention. This is Chanukah, and this is the lesson of education. Before your child acts out and misbehaves to get your attention and before, G-d forbid, your child shuts down and distances himself from you, ignite a spark, captivate, and get their attention. This is the festival of Chanukah. It’s the holiday where G-d tells us, “Hey I’m here, don’t turn away from Me. Even in your most obscure moment, I’m the flame that illuminates your way.” With the miracle of a burning light G-d taught us this key on how to raise and educate our children. Be their light and grab their attention.
Originally from northern California and a Stanford University graduate, Elana Mizrahi now lives in Jerusalem with her husband and children. She is a doula, massage therapist and writer. She also teaches Jewish marriage classes for brides
One of Devorah’s favorite recipes for a tasty holiday treat!
Sufganiyot Ingredients
1 Tbsp. sugar 3 eggs 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup nondairy creamer 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp. grated lemon peel 6 to 7 cups flour Oil for frying Confectioners’ sugar
Directions
In a large mixer bowl place eggs, oil, sugar, nondairy creamer, vanilla, and grated lemon peel. Add yeast mixture. Add flour until soft dough is formed (dough need not be dry. It should be softer than challah dough). Knead for a few minutes. Cover and allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 to 1.5 hours. Roll out dough 1/2 ince thick on floured surface. Cut out circles with a doughnut cutter. Place 2 or 3 inches of oil in a 2-quart saucepan and heat over medium until hot. Place four doughnuts at a time in the oil. Brown on one side and then on the other. Remove with slotted spoon. Drain and cool on paper towels. Dust with confectioners’ sugar.
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The Ordinary
Miracle By Angela Goldstein
T
here are stretches of time – weeks, sometimes months – where I wake up and feel ordinary. I go to my job, do homework with my kids, and feed the dog. I look forward to the weekends and do all I can to be a good parent and an all-around good person. I can’t speak for
enjoy jelly donuts. I love jelly donuts. I’m sure you probably do too. I also love lighting the menorah with my family and friends, while the smell of fried latkes fills the air in my kitchen. The candles burn bright inside while a chilly evening breeze blows outside. It’s Chanukah.
It happened to them, could it happen to us? If you dig a bit below the surface, underneath all of that candle wax and powdered sugar, I believe that you just might be able to find the answer. Literally, Chanukah means dedication. And in today’s world, a
is defined as an event not explicable by natural or scientific laws. To me, this would be something extraordinary to see, like if I woke up one morning and could sing like Whitney Houston. Or even better, like a small band of Jewish scholars overcoming a powerful Greek army. The To-
“Because if we truly believe in the story of Chanukah, then we know that when we are dedicated, G-d creates miracles.”
““““
everyone, but I’m sure many of us fall easily into our routines. Although I do constantly remind myself to be grateful and make it a point to pause for gratitude each day, I sometimes get caught up in the flow, forgetting the wonder of each moment, each breath. In a few weeks, we’ll gather with family to
Still in the wake of a meaningful experience over the High Holidays, I started thinking more about Chanukah and its catchphrase – “A Great Miracle Happened There”. The sound of that phrase seems so finite that it meshes well with my thoughts of being ordinary. But does it? It happened there, so could it happen here?
lot of us are dedicated to a lot of things. We coach our kids’ soccer teams, adhere to a daily workout routine, and light candles every Friday night. Because if we truly believe in the story of Chanukah, then we know that when we are dedicated, G-d creates miracles. According to good old Wikipedia, a miracle
rah itself is chock full of miracles and stories of Divine Providence. However, as I roll out of bed in the morning and start the coffee, it’s hard to grasp the concept that a miracle could be happening to me right at that exact moment. Could it be? For instance, the Talmud tells us: “The one to whom the miracle is
happening, does not recognize the miracle.” And the Tanya goes on to say that the greatest miracles
are those which He alone knows about, where “the recipient of the miracle is not aware of his own miracle”. What does this mean? Can I really sing like Whitney Houston? Not quite. I think that Chanukah is a reminder that not only did G-d create a miracle for the Maccabees, but He also creates miracles for us on a daily basis. Moreover, these extraordinary miracles remind us that all of life, even the tiniest facets of our very ordinary days, is in fact one big miracle.
After I thought it through, it amazed me how simple the concept actually was; it then perplexed me as to why it was so difficult to practice this belief on a daily basis. It takes work. It takes dedication. It takes Chanukah. I think that we are all truly blessed that a holiday like Chanukah comes around every year. It’s our little ‘Divine Reminder’ that surprise visits from your mother, throwing in a load of laundry, and watching a child laugh for the first time are just as much a miracle as one jar of oil burning for eight days. Even when the last Chanukah candle burns down to the quick, light continues to shine into our world for as long as we allow ourselves to see it. On behalf of my entire family, I wish you and yours a very happy, safe, and bright Chanukah. May we all sing loud, play a game of dreidel (or two), and merit to notice ALL of the miracles in our everyday lives. Chag Sameach.
embassybank.com
We’d like to wish a warm welcome to our new residents Rabbi and Mrs. Spalter.
O
ur experience so far has been amazing and truly inspiring. When the opportunity arose to come down to Allentown, PA to join the Halperins on their Shlichos, the thought was scary. There were so many concerns, who will I walk to? Most importantly, how can I live without my family and friends, right around the corner? However, it made us stop and reevaluate our lives. We needed to make a ‘din v’cheshben’ and take stock of what we are supposed to be doing in this world. The easiest way out was to decline the offer and stay in our comfort zone, but we realized that there is a big world out there that needs to be lit up; and if we can contribute to that even a tiny bit, our lives will be so much more rich and fulfilling and we will not be swallowed up in our mundane routines. The transition between living in NY and moving to Allentown has been quite an adventure. Yet, we have been welcomed into this beautiful community, and met such wonderful people; we already feel like part of the crowd. What stuck out to us right away was the kindness and homey feeling we received from the community, and the devotion and
care of Rabbi Yakov and Devorah. We’ve gotten kosher packages at our front door, bottles of wine and lots of well wishes! One couple even told us they were going to be our new family, our “adoptive parents”! We felt right away like we belonged and we are so happy to be here! Our goal in moving here, is to build on more community programs to the Lehigh Valley community. We will be overseeing a few programs for Chabad, which we hope will take off and grow with much success. The programs include: The friendship Circle: A program for special needs children. The friendship Circle’s unique formula unites teen volunteers with children with special needs in a friendship that deeply enriches both lives. Through a wide range of Jewish, social, and educational innovative programs and activities, the two share fun and love! SOS: Smile on seniors. Smile On Seniors is a unique volunteer program, created to enhance the lives of local seniors. Many of us have parents or family who are seniors, living alone or in senior facilities, that would greatly benefit from an extra visit from someone who isn’t family. Family can not always visit as often as desired, and not always is there someone else to supplement those visits. And that’s where Smile On Seniors steps in. SOS matches local volunteers with local seniors for a weekly visit, bringing joy and a sense of caring to many Camp Gan Israel: CGI is the Jewish Day camp which provides an enriched, fun filled summer for your child. It is not just a break from the school routine, rather it’s a comprehensive program designed to strengthen the body and soul. It provides your child with a rich and wholesome summer vacation of fun and excitement along with friendship and meaningful educational experiences. We are looking forward to being part of this wonderful community, and building lots of relationships, and we hope we can contribute to the amazing work Rabbi and Devorah Halperin have done here thus far! - Rabbi Hershel and Mushkie Spalter
Dime
on a
Chanukah Crafts “Mom, can I have an iPhone for Chanukah?” Like it or not, Chanukah gifts are one of the main ways that many Jewish families try to counteract society’s attractions at this time of year. But in this
Games year’s economic situation, buying mega-gifts for the kids is difficult, if not impossible, for many Jewish families. So what are Jewish parents to do? The basic approach I share with parents is to remember that the greatest thing we can give our children is ourselves. Children need and want our time and attention. When they get good quality time with us, the lack of material things and toys is a minor issue, if one at all. When they don’t get the love and attention they crave, they need more toys and material acquisitions to help
Spinning Dreidels: This can be a whole evening’s activity. Get a bunch of cheap and fun dreidels and tops. Buy a large pack of chocolate coins, jelly beans, toffees or whatever. Get down on the floor and play with the kids. Some families organize tournaments such as a Dreidel World Series. Don’t forget to let the kids win. Outdoor Chanukah Lightings These are organized by Chabad Houses around the world, and are a favorite with children and parents alike.
By Doron Kornbluth
Family Time
fill their emotional holes. Not getting the mega-toys then becomes a real sticking point. Of course the kids should still get some presents—and something they like—but gift-giving shouldn’t be the focus of your Chanukah this year—or any year, for that matter. Practically, this means getting home from work earlier to light the Chanukah candles with the kids, planning out Chanukah activities, and canceling or minimizing any adult commitments in order to focus on the kids. Most kids are in school for Chanukah, or most of it, but don’t let the week be like any other week. Each day should be special in some way.
Frying Latkes Make it into a family affair, and watch the oil. Make Your Own Apple Sauce: It is fun and easy. Peel and chop and boil. (Fill pot halfway with apples, the rest is water. Add something sweet.) Family Party: Designate one evening for a family get-together. Include as many relatives as you can. This can become a looked-forward-to family tradition.
Here are some low-cost or no-cost activities to help you get started. I suggest different activity nights, but certain activities can be combined and some evenings can be just “hang out with the family” nights. Don’t stick to the list—figure out what is right for your family. These are, of course, only some of the ideas out there. Look online for more. Ask the kids what they want to do, emphasizing that the activities should be free or lowcost. And make sure to emphasize to the kids how happy you are that Chanukah has arrived so you can spend more time with them.
Friends Party: Let the kids invite over their friends one evening. This can be combined with one of the activities mentioned here, or doing something else the kids want to do. Crafts Night: Look online for a variety of craft ideas for Chanukah. Choose a few and have fun! Star Gazing: What is more appropriate on the Festival of Lights than to watch the stars? Most city folk today rarely see a sky full of stars. Wait for a clear evening and drive
“emphasize to the kids how happy you are that Chanukah has arrived so you can spend more time with them.�
into the countryside. Bring a blanket and lie down to look up at the stars. Alternatively, or in addition to this, go to the planetarium. Edible Chanukah Shapes: Make menorahs and dreidels out of cookies. You can find cookie-cutters in the shape of the Star of David, or combine two triangles. Book Reading Night: Go to the Jewish bookstore or library and choose a few Chanukah- or general-Jewish-themed story books. Hundreds exist, and many are quite good. Movie Night: Get the popcorn, pillows and blankets, and cuddle up together as you watch one of your favorite series of Itche Kadoozy
together. City Activities: Scan your local newspaper for fun winter activities. Chanukah Snowball Fight: Depending on the weather and temperature in your location, use the cold to your advantage. Make a Greek soldier out of cardboard, stand him in the yard, and have the kids be the Maccabees and throw snowballs at him until he gets knocked down. Greek Bowling: Each pin they knock down is a Greek soldier. For each soldier they get a chocolate coin, etc.
Chesed Night: Chesed means kindness. Choose an evening and go do a family activity of caring. Pack food for the homeless. Visit an old age home or hospital to bring Chanukah cheer. Do something for others and let the kids see that being Jewish is about giving, not taking. Doron Kornbluth is a bestselling author of Why Be Jewish?, Raising Kids to LOVE Being Jewish, and the newly released Cremation or Burial? A Jewish View (all by Mosaica Press). A renowned international lecturer, Doron speaks in over 50 cities a year to all types of audiences, on many subjects. Doron is also an inspirational licensed Israeli Tour Guide who offers fascinating and inspirational tours to individuals, families and groups. Repreinted courtesy of chabad.org.
citing is x E g n Com hi t e m in So g!
Plans alread are y unde r way fo r 2015 at Cam p Gan Izzy!
Swimming crafts trips & more!
Camp Gan Israel is a camp dedicated to enriching the lives of children from diverse Jewish backgrounds and affiliations through a stimulating camping experience. CGI of the Lehigh Valley is part of the largest and fastest growing network of day camps, enjoying a reputation as a pioneer in Jewish camping, with innovative ideas and creative activities, to both provide enjoyment and inspire children to try new and exciting things! Camp provides a truly enriching experience that cannot be duplicated in any other environment or under any other circumstance. Camp is a child-oriented world. A camper is at leisure to daydream in a fashion not permitted by the pressures of the tightly scheduled adult-run world of home and school. A craving for adventure may be fulfilled by the excitement of a lazer tag trip or camping out under the stars. With adults in the background primarily to ensure health and safety, the child gains the experience of living within a small “community� of his or her peers.
Great Programs for Big Kids too! New Website coming soon! www.ganisraelpa.com
Reflecting on Chanukah:
Sparking a Chain Reaction of
Jewish Engagement By Yossi Prager
Each year, the bright lights of Chanukah cause me to wonder how we can better kindle the passion for Judaism and the Jewish people among the next generation of American Jews. Coincidentally, I have been reading about the physical nature of light, and I have come to appreciate ways in which the science of candle-lighting can inform educators seeking to engage Jews of all ages. Here’s a simple explanation of what happens when we light a Chanukah candle (the same applies to olive oil). Candles are packed with carbon and hydrogen. The heat of the flame that lights the candle causes the carbon and hydrogen atoms in the candle to move around, or jiggle. In jiggling, the atoms of the candle first become a gas and then approach and combine with “All oxygen in the surrounding air to form carbon dioxide and water. The canthe raw dle burns and disappears because material it turns into carbon dioxide and needed to water vapor that we do not see.
transform Jewish life is in our hands.”
The combining of the carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms generates more heat, which in turn jiggles more of the atoms in the candle, leading to more carbon dioxide and water and more heat. The chain reaction will continue until there is no fuel left. This is not the end of the story, of course, since the carbon dioxide and water are ultimately absorbed by growing trees, whose wood serves as fuel for new fires. The critical role of heat in jiggling the atoms is clear. Where does the light of the flame come from? It turns out that the light is not a result of the jiggling of the atoms but of the change in energy levels of the
electrons in the participating atoms. Light is emitted when excited electrons return to less-excited states. Great mysteries remain about the nature of light, which acts at different times in mutually-contradictory ways. Scientists have developed mathematical equations that enable us to harness and exploit light, but physicists are no better than poets at explaining its inherent nature. It seems to me deeply appropriate that we commemorate the miracles of Chanukah – which involved reclaiming sovereignty over physical land and regaining spiritual freedom – by lighting candles, an act that transforms both matter and energy. Viewing the candles through the prism of science deepens my appreciation of the extent to which the natural world in which we live is itself miraculous. And the science behind the candle lighting does even more:
it provides some principles that can inform our thinking as philanthropists and Jewish educators. Here are my takeaways, energizing young people to be creators: Like a fire, Jewish educators need to start a chain reaction. The goal of Jewish education should be to inspire students to generate their own light and heat that will further inspire others. Like a fire which can only get started with sufficient heat, education requires that passions be raised. Students will only agree to be part of a chain reaction if their Jewish education causes them to care deeply. This has two implications. First, the education has to be sufficiently rich and immersive to generate passion. Second, it has to feel relevant and meaningful to students. In this regard, I was impressed by the range of the high school Judaic courses at Golda Och Academy, which was described by Flora Yavelberg, the Judaic Studies Chair at the day school. Effective education requires offerings that are both substantive and responsive to the interests of individual students. Electrons emit light when they return to levels of lower energy, not when they are excited. So should students. If young people are meaningfully excited by a Jewish educational experience, whether at a day school, summer camp or Birthright Israel, the success should be seen over the long-term, when students return to their regular levels of energy. Daniella Pressner, Principal of Akiva Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, provides a worthy conceptual model based on her experience with Music Row: a Jewish education that seeks to produce Jewish grit, patience and pride – character traits that endure. In the physical world, it is impossible to create new matter and energy; the universe expands through the transformation of the matter and energy that already exists. The same is true of our Torah and traditions. All the raw material needed to transform Jewish life is in our hands. We need to raise the heat, light the flame and enable the chain reaction to get started.
Reprinted Courtesy of Avi Chai Blog www.avichai.org/blog
Inspiring a Love for Judaism.
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It’s hard to explain how it can make me happy and sad at the same time, people ask me this question a lot. “If you’re going to volunteer, why hospice?” “It makes me happy,” I shrug. “How?”
I want to tell you about Rose. Rose wasn’t my patient, her husband actually was, but since he wasn’t often lucid, I would spend all of my time chatting with her. She was 91 years young, and while I know that statement is a common joke, I mean it in sincerity. At 91, in a nursing home with her unconscious husband, she took it upon herself to “exercise her brain” and was on a mission to learn as much as she could about everything. She loved to talk too, tell stories about raising her kids, debate politics, and tell you all about what she read in a National Geographic magazine.
I loved Rose, that happens sometimes. Something about someone immediately clicks with you, their personality is bright and warm, and immediately part of your heart is theirs. All I wanted to do was to make Rose feel special, and since I couldn’t be with her all of the time, I wanted how ever many days she had left to be as good as they could be. She laughed one day telling me that she colored sometimes, she thought it helped keep her brain sharp. Luckily at the time back to school sales were everywhere, the face that she made when I came in with drawing pads, colored pencils, markers, crayons, and coloring books was like a child on their birthday. I brought her magazines, Bob Newhart’s autobiography (a fantastically hilarious book by the way) just to make her happy. We would sit and color together, as I listened to her tell stories and marvel at the fact that she had lived so long. That is a complete high for me, having someone light up and be the cause. I visited her as much as I could. The activities director of the home told me that she was afraid to join the other residents for lunch because her husband might need her, or worse, he might roll out of bed. I insisted one day that she go to lunch while I sat with her husband. While she
By Sara Bressler Rutz
R O S E
I have never been the best speaker, nor have I ever been one to know just the right thing to say to get a conversation going, but I am a good listener. I can listen to the same story, told by the same person, again and again, with repeated enthusiasm. This is one of the many reasons I decided to volunteer at a hospice. It’s not always easy, in fact, it can be downright miserable sometimes, so much so that occasionally I have to put it down and give myself a breather here and there; but it’s something that brings so much joy to my life.
The piece of yourself you give, you get back, but it’s changed. was gone, I took out the sketch pad and colored pencils I had gotten her and doodled
absentmindedly. I wrote her name, Rose, in vines with leaves and flowers, I drew birds and and a sun. Really it was nothing special, I’m sure a seventh grader could’ve drawn the same thing. I closed the book when she came back and didn’t think a thing of it. The next time I saw her she talked about the picture for ten minutes, she was convinced that she had found my dream job, she had discovered my hidden talent, I was to become a greeting card designer. I laughed with her and sat with her a while longer. Before I left I gave her my cellphone number, and told her that if she needed anything, or wanted some time to go to lunch to just call me. She smiled at me, and said “Thank you Sara.” I was at my daughter’s dance, the first
class this year when I checked my email on my phone. There was a message from my supervisor saying Rose was unresponsive in the hospital. My heart crashed, in front of about 50 other dance moms I burst into embarrassing tears and had to go outside to collect myself. My heart crashed again when I visited her in the hospital, and for the first time, she was quiet. One week later I went to the memorial service at her nursing home, there I was crying again. You would think I would be used to it, but I’m not, and I’m not sure I ever could be. Like I said, some people are just so easy to love. I sat there cursing myself through the service, I could have done more for her, I could have went to visit her more, something. When the service was over I walked to the front to look at the pictures of her and her family. I stood staring at the one of her in her wedding dress when I heard someone behind me say “She’s the one that drew the picture.” “She is?” came another voice. Apparently, Rose had shown the picture I doodled to everyone that crossed her path after I drew it. A woman came up to me and took my hand, “You’re Sara?” she asked. It was her daughter-in-law. “I want to tell you that you touched Rose in a very special way,” and then she went on about my little picture again. There is the joy. The fact that she spoke of me, the fact that something so simple like a drawing brought such excitement to her makes me happy beyond words, because I did that. Somehow, little me, quiet, painfully shy me, managed to make her last days just a little better.
Even as I think of this my chest aches just a little, out of sadness in the knowledge that I will never again sit with Rose and hear her stories, and joy because I was able to. Sadness because her time is over, and joy because I was able to add something to it. I think that is the beauty in some mitzvahs, just a small little thing you can do out of goodwill can fill you with such an elation knowing your ability as a human being. I think that a mitzvah not only betters the world, it betters the person doing it. Whether it’s lighting candles on Friday nights when you are giving a part of yourself to G-d, or it’s visiting an elderly person and giving part of yourself to another. The piece of yourself you give, you get back, but it’s changed. It’s a learning experience, not only did I learn from the stories of Rose’s 91 years on this earth, but I learned that out of the millions of little things you do, some good and some bad, the things that seem insignificant, you never know which one will matter. Which one will mean something to someone? Which one will fill you with a warmth you can hold on to for all of your days? I will remember Rose forever. I will remember the way she laughed, the way she folded her arms when in a story she told she made a point, the way she organized all of her books and art supplies on her bed. I am taking a break from hospice for a bit, but I will go back, and when I do there will come a time when I meet another person who takes a part of my heart with them, and though I don’t look forward to the ache, I look forward to what I can learn.
Igniting the Soul by Chana Sara Elias
ent, was fied as Jewish and, to some ext age myalways proud. I wanted to eng s, but I self more into Jewish tradition was going just didn’t know how Judaism death, her to propagate in my life. After r connecI began to seek out a stronge services tion to Judaism by attending sister. I my and even saying kaddish for s is what was raised conservative, and thi to do. I I was told was the right thing to coning try was reciting prayers and n into. nect with the religion I was bor g in a Now at the TLA, I was standin e were room where members of the trib been had I a majority. I realized what imilated missing all of these years I ass nt efro for the at not s wa th since her dea world – a Jewish sups world I to the rest of the of my mind. I was lost in thi to be in a Jewish self into port system. I craved my g pin elo env of d ate cre had ntion to environment. the current scene, paying atte med his show, it was moment. Matisyahu perfor what was happening in each he performed after ish and one of the first shows Jew be to ud pro l fee to ted star I ormation out in he went through his transf ple peo ish Jew er oth h wit be a he want to Orthodox Judaism. I had no ide of . ent nm iro such a warm env s transformation identi- had gone through thi Before my sister died, I always
venue, staring around at the intimate hing, innoticing everyone and everyt hanging cluding a dreidel disco ball l in the from the ceiling. This disco bal anuCh shape of a dreidel, the famous g nin for kah toy, set the tone for the eve connectme. This was going to be me was my is Th ing with other young Jews. first time time. My sister’s death for the
nt on a In the winter of 2011, I we to visit week-and-a-half long road trip s engagefriends in Georgia, a cousin’ finally ment party in Pittsburgh and burg, ms llia to an appointment in Wi t, I sudNew York. Shortly before tha the singer denly became infatuated with the lyrics in Matisyahu and lost myself n of losoften as I tried to drown the pai ore to a ing my sister a few months bef On a rs. yea 7 battle with leukemia for that saw whim, I searched online and PhilaMatisyahu was performing in sin’s cou my and delphia on Dec. 24, 23. c. De engagement shower was on to t my I was elated to add this concer itinerary. cert and It was the evening of the con ntally ide after several wrong turns, acc w findrunning red lights and someho on an oning a ticket to a sold out show made it line aftermarket retailer, I had inside the to the concert. I was standing elphia, Theatre of Living Arts in Philad
“I started to feel proud to be Jewish”
as was surprised when he came on stage. But that did n’t I had made it. I wa matter to me. That didn’t s touched at the kindness change the music that ma of this de person and was tha me feel good and comfort nk fully one person stopped ed me in my deepest times to see of how they could help an need. Since this was his other Jew. I knew there annual Festival of Lights was tou r something special in during Chanukah, he lit Judaism, I just had yet to a menorah on stage and fin d it, sang and this man made the bracha in a haunting me want to find it. tune. My soul was electrifie d. After the concert, I was mi Once I was done with my ngling outside the TLA for road trip, I tried to a connect so hard to Jud while. I was invited by a wo aism. I tried to go to Sh man in a Young Jewish Pro abbat - dinners and looked up fessionals group to join the Birthright trips. While a m at a local bar. I was tir lot of ed my efforts reaped no and hungry, but my soul reward, I did become affi was burning for this identi lia ted fiwith a Chabad outreach cation with other Jews, to program. I became close be a part of something lar to ger the rabbi and his fam than just myself. I accepted ily who headed the progra the offer graciously. It wa m and s eventually came to the a perfect end to an evenin services at his shul. I ende g that I desperately needed d up . giving my 3-year-old da I had my first personal int ughter a Jewish name at eraction on Dec. 26, 20 the 11 synagogue by the Torah an with an observant Jew. d eventually started keeping I had no idea how Hassi dic Shabbos. Slowly bu Jews operated. I was comp t surely, I evolved into wh letely uneducated. When o I am I today, a completely To tried to speak to someone rah-observant Jew. coming out of a shul in W ilChanukah encourages us liamsburg, I was disappo as Jews to get out and spr inted at the lack of assist ead ance light throughout I found while trying to fin the wo rld d somewhere to say kadd filled with darkness. We ish physically do this thr for my sister. One man ough home and public me finally did come over to norah help lightings, or even me. He was kind enough with such contraptions as to look up on his compute dre ide l disr co balls. However, no at home a synagogue that thing can compare to the I could daven in and gave ph ysical me light like the spiritua the address to a Chabad in l light one impresses upon Manhattan. an oth er thr Unfortunately, my appoint ough a positive interaction ment ran very close to the . This is how my life was changed, through simple time for the minyan, and interactions with people I couldn’t make it from W who il- weren’t afraid to be kin liamsburg into the city in d. time. However, this man followed up with me to see if there was a minyan an d if
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