Tonight, as we all prepare to celebrate and light our Chanukkiyot, my husband and I have an extra reason to celebrate; our own Chanukkah miracle you might say. One year ago on the 25th of Kislev, we married. By the graciousness of our rabbi, he let us get married on the first night of Chanukkah! He even suggested instead of a unity candle to light the Chanukkah menorah as our first act together as man and wife. This year—for many, for all—we have endured unprecedented challenges. For ...
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Gather the Sparks
There is a Jewish fairy tale about how Hashem gathered Himself [Ein Sof] into ten jars or vessels before He created the world. As He spoke those first words, "Let there be light," the ten vessels broke scattering the light of the Ein Sof throughout the physical world. It is now our role to find this light, to find it within ourselves and others, and let it shine to bring glory back to Hashem. I have written before about how I feel and know that it is my role on this Earth to write, ...
Embracing Our Darkness
The most difficult challenge, our most vile villain, we will ever face is our own darkness, our own souls. Will we cower and be driven mad, unable to accept our propensity for evil? Or will we arise, overcome, and accept ourselves for who we are? Will we love ourselves, not solely in spite of, but also including our darkness? Embracing one's darkness is accepting your flaws, weaknesses, wrongdoings, etc. which have caused you and others pain. Does this acceptance mean we allow ...
Confession
There is something I need to confess. (And it won’t be brief. #sorrynotsorry) It’s nothing terrible. In fact, it could be wonderful. It’s just that it is very difficult because it is something so intrinsic to my soul I keep it close, hidden away, protected. However, if any of you have noticed on my homepage, I quote the dear C. S. Lewis, of blessed memory, who once said, “Nothing that you have not given away will ever really be yours.” Like everything else I do, I strategically chose such a ...
