Happy Hanukkah!

Like many religious and ethnic traditions, Hannukah* is known as a gift-giving holiday. But in fact (and Kabbalah teaches this), Hannukah itself can be the gift. And this is true for all of us - Jewish or not!

As the Kabbalists explain, very little is required of us on Hannukah. On other holidays there are many prayers, meditations and physical actions designed for drawing the Light. (The "Light" they refer to can be explained in simplistic terms as "divine inspiration," which is essentially the same pursuit taught by Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and many other religions).

At Hannukah we light candles, sing and enjoy. That’s it. This is because the Light of Hannukah is so high and so powerful that there is almost nothing we need to do in order to draw that Light. No rules. No fasting. In short, no work! It is simply a gift.

Hannukah celebrations frequently incorporate beautiful, soul-stirring candle-lighting ceremonies. There are various versions of these, as well as traditional foods, prayers, songs and games you could choose to incorporate into such a ceremony, but the essence of it is always the same: to light candles for 8 days (generally a Menorah is used) and to create a feeling of love, joy and warmth for oneself, ones family and loved ones. Children can be a part of this, too, whether you are following a prescribed Jewish Hannukah tradition, or simply making up your own version. Since Kabbalists believe that children are the ultimate source of Light, they innately understand and feel the meaning of Hannukah, the Festival of Lights.

Take advantage of the beautiful and powerful opportunity of these eight days. This is your chance to ignite an internal flame that will shed Light on areas of need in your life for the year to come.

We wish you a very happy, healthy (and ALWAYS Tasty) Hannukah.

* Believe it or not, we found all of the following "kosher" spelling variations for the name of this holiday:

    * Chanuka
    * Chanukah
    * Chanukkah
    * Channukah
    * Hanukah
    * Hannukah
    * Hanukkah
    * Hanuka
    * Hanukka
    * Hanaka
    * Haneka
    * Hanika
    * Khanukkah

Blog Comments

...brilliant job presenting hanukkah, very, very clear, well written for all to understand. i like the universal associations you made to the major world religions showing how the light is really 'one' ...via different avenues of approach (if the world only thought this way? we wouldn't have so many idiotic crackpot theories, and wars in the world. it would be a far more peaceful and beautiful place for all).

bravo! beautiful. especially these lines....(The "Light" they refer to can be explained in simplistic terms as "divine inspiration," which is essentially the same pursuit taught by Christians, Buddhists, Muslims and many other religions) and "This is your chance to ignite an internal flame that will shed Light on areas of need in your life for the year to come."

- Comment by NL - Dec 10, 2007 at 10:03 AM