The Kedushas Levi writes that when a person searches and prays for something for a long time, and then they find it, the initial gratitude and excitement is so intense, it’s like a great light. With time, the intensity of the feeling fades and the person gets used to having the thing they were looking for for so long (like …
This time of year there are a zillion gift guides everywhere. I find that when I look at most gift guides for women, I’m not into most of the suggestions. For fun, I made a list of gifts I would actually appreciate. (They seem to mostly be acts of service). gift card for massage or facial makeover + the …
In Meeting Your Half-Orange, Amy Spencer talks about visualizing different scenes from your future life with your husband as part of the fourth step of the half-orange process. I’m visualizing the Chanukah party I’m going to host (next year) with my husband. I’m adding details, from our work schedules that night to the menu, paper goods and activities. I’m frying …
I love seeing menorahs in other people’s windows. It is such a happy sight and it makes me feel warm and cozy. And it reminds me not of the Chanukah miracle exactly, but of a generalized sense of peace and gratitude for the good things in life. In keeping with the idea that Chanukah is about not only open …
I’m excited for Chanukah to begin next week! Some years it just sneaks up on me but this year I’m ready. A quick reminder of one of the better-known answers to the question of why we celebrate eight nights of Chanukah if the miracle was only for seven (after all, the oil was expected to last through that first …
Okay, the title is a bit misleading because it’s not a real-real menorah, it’s one of those basic brass numbers that’ll hold a row of oil cups. And I’m not filling the cups myself, or threading the wicks, I bought a case of those pre-filled cups that are stacked sky-high in the grocery store. But it’s a first, because I’ve …
Oh, Chanukah, you came so quickly (wasn’t it just Elul?!) and now you’re halfway over. You came so quickly, in fact, that I was utterly unprepared for you (I know, I know, I did think about presents, but not much else, to be honest). Well, I’ll think about you now. And this is what I’m thinking: darkness candle winter miracle …
Sometimes we have a grab bag at our family Chanukah parties and it’s so much fun. Basically, everyone brings a wrapped gift that cost less than $5 and puts it in a giant bag (you can separate adult and kid gifts if you’d like). The fun is mostly in getting to tear off the wrapping paper. It’s not really about …
This past Shabbos, I was away with some friends and we were cracking up because anytime someone complimented someone else on a piece of jewelry, she would automatically add, “Did you buy that for yourself?” Looks like we’ve all gotten used to getting ourselves gifts. (It’s a good thing!) For Chanukah, I’m thinking about a cookbook — like The …
Tonight I did a free writing class for Chanukah from Yocheved Rottenberg of Write Your Way Home. (I’m sure if you contact her through the site, she’d send it to you). The following is what I wrote for one of the exercises, a Captured Moment from a Chanukah gone by. I walk across the expansive dining room to the …
