Jewish Musings, Sunday December 25th

[lee058]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:

Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

[lee058]

Good morning everybody, and happy first day of Chanukah! I hope you are all well. DS and I lit candles last night in our beautiful tree of life menorah that my mom got us in Israel years ago. I am looking forward to celebrating the rest of the holiday.

I've been thinking about what Holly said about the holiday being about inner light. That is so true. As we've discussed, this time of year there's so much emphasis on visible lights and presents that we need to remember what the holiday is really all about (besides a military victory, again, as we discussed).

These days, with so much turmoil in the world, it is especially important to be in touch with our Judaism, however we express it. Repairing the world is something we can do, as is setting a good example, as is helping other people, as are good deeds in general. It's just as important, I think, for us to actively make an effort to find and bring about peace wherever and however we can.

I feel that being Jewish is special. I feel that we have responsibilities beyond just being good citizens. As the Hebrew National company writes on their products, "We answer to a higher authority." Sometimes it is hard to put this into words without sounding elitist or exclusionary, but it is important nonetheless.

I'll be back later. Have a peaceful day, Lee

[louise]

I am reminded of a verse I really like towards the end of the morning Amidah, translated in the new conservative siddur: Siddur Lev Shalem as:

Bless us, our creator, united as one with the light of your presence; by that light, Adonai our God, You have given us a guide to life, the love of kindness, righteousness, blessing, compassion, life, and peace.

I'm off to have brunch at a friend's which will include bagels and latkes. I made some chocolate cupcakes - have never been good with frosting so they look very homemade, but maybe that's not necessarily a bad thing; they're kind of endearing with vanilla frosting, a smattering of blue sugar crystals, and little Hanukkah flags.

[gazelle18]

Happy Hanukkah !

I am expecting son, DDIL, and their 4 children in a few hours.... they will be here in a few hours. This might be the last quiet time I get until Friday morning!! If I don't make much sense this week, you will know why.

Lee's statement that we have special responsibilities as Jews is one that resonates with me, as I heard this from my father growing up on many an occasion. I remember watching the news with him during the civil rights era, and we would see stories about acts of discrimination and bigotry. My dad would say: "We don't do things like that. We're Jews. We do the opposite. We fight these kinds of behavior."

And if it was Hanukkah time, we would be reminded that we can develop the strength and the fortitude of a Maccabee!

[peachymom1]

Good morning, shavua tov and chag sameach!

I did well with my eating last night - one jelly doughnut, two latkes, unsweetened applesauce and a lot of salad. DD28 and her fiancee were at DF's parents' house last night, so they're coming to us tonight for Chanuakah. DS26's girlfriend went to visit her parents for the weekend and is flying home tonight, so DS26 will pick her up from the airport and bring her over to share Chanukah with us too. We'll all light candles, sing some songs, have latkes, exchange gifts and take lots of pictures. Looking forward to having everyone together!

I thought the rabbi would talk about the Joseph story yesterday during the Torah discussion, but he didn't. Instead, he went through the entire history of Chanukah, right up to the present day, dispelled a few myths, and talked about what Chanukah has meant to us Jews throughout the ages. It was very enlightening. The main message was that in every generation, we have to decide how much we can/are willing to assimilate, and where we draw the line at remaining Jews. He told a funny story about how when he was a kid, he and his brothers desperately wanted to have a Christmas tree like their neighbors, so they went and begged their mother for one. To their complete astonishment, she said, "Yes, you can have a Christmas tree." "Really?" "Sure!" "With presents and tinsel and ornaments and a star on top and everything?" "Yes," she replied, "in July."

Everyone laughed, but we all got it -- take the religious symbol out of its context, and it's meaningless. And that was her point. As long as a Christmas tree is a symbol used by Christians during their religious season, it's not appropriate for Jews. I actually remember this lady; she was a warm, kind-hearted, generous woman with a wonderfully feisty side to her.

DH and the guys have gone to see the Star Wars movie, so I'm going to do my dance and stretching DVDs, take a nice warm shower and curl up in my rocking chair with a book until they get back. I'll be back later. Chag sameach!

[lee058]

Hi again. I made a non-traditional Chanukah dinner tonight: dumplings and string beans sautéed in safflower oil, with tamari and ginger. If you think about it, this was just as appropriate as any other meal cooked in oil for the holiday! Also it was delicious.

Peachy, love the story about the tree.

See you in the morning, but since I'm staying up late, I'm not sure when I will get us started. I will do it though.

Have a peaceful night, Lee