Rabbi's Letters

Dear Friends,

Hannukah is behind us, and before us is the winter break followed by hopefully our last few months of restrictions before the rollout of the vaccine.

The final leg of a race is always challenging.

We tire and sensing the end, we let go of our built up defenses.

We feel the pains of the journey.

I believe that it is safe to say that we are all fatigued.

For this final stretch (God willing), let us be kind to each other and mindful that we are all on short fuses.

Let us find savlanut, patience, simchah, joy, and hishtavut, equanimity.

The Ethics of the Fathers teach:
Who is wise? He who learns from all men.
Who is mighty? He who conquers his [evil] inclination.
Who is rich? He who rejoices in his portion,
Who is honored? He that honors his fellow men.

Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchev teaches why does God’s name Shaddai appear on a mezuzah? To remind us – dai (enough in Hebrew) - we already have all that we need.

May the light of the eight candles of Hannukah continue to burn in our hearts during the months ahead.

Now for our weekly question.
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On Saturday, our president Juli Geldner asked me what is the correct way to light a menorah/ chanukiyah?

The answer is that we put the candles in right to left and we light them left to right.

We light the newest one first and then go back to the beginning.

Why right to left? The answer that I know is because Hebrew is written/ read right to left.

Why light the new candle first? Because it emphasizes the miracle of the light that grows every night.

Every Hannukah I find the eight candles all lit a new miracle. It reminds me of the surprises of life.

We never knew that 2020 would be as it was. We cannot imagine what 2021 will be like.

We only hope that it will be full of more light and joy for all.

Shabbat shalom, 

Rabbi Adir Glick