Finding the God Sparks in Our Lives
Texts on Dedication
In the days of Matisyahu, the son of Yochanan the High Priest, the Hasmonean, and his sons, when the wicked kingdom of Greece rose up against Your people Israel to make them forget Your Torah and to stray from the laws of Your will, You, with great mercy stood by them in the time of their distress… You made a great and holy name in Your world, You performed a great deliverance for Your people Israel on this day. After these things, Your children entered into the Holy of Holies of Your House, cleansed Your Temple, purified the place of Your Holiness, kindled lights in Your holy courts and established these eight days of Hanukkah to express thanksgiving and praise to Your great name. (Siddur Ashkenaz, Weekday, Shacharit, Amidah, Thanksgiving 4)
Sefer Yetzirah 5:2
R. Aryeh Trugman says: “It is on Chanukah, when we light the candles that we shed light upon whether or not we really have lived up to transforming our potential into actual, our dreams and hopes into reality.” Here he is explaining the Hasidic teaching that the dramatic process of human repentance and Divine judgement that began during Elul and continued through Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and the High Holidays, is not actually completed until the very end of Hanukkah. The candles of Hanukkah, lit in the darkest winter nights, have the ability to reveal the otherwise hidden inner strivings of our souls, if not for our own eyes to behold then for the Divine to add one last drop of oil or wax to the scales, thereby tipping the balance in favor of cosmic compassion. (Sefer Yetzirah 5:2)
Blessed are You, Adonai, who strengthens and renews our dedication and commitment.
Questions to Consider:
What potentials became actual for you this year? How might you rededicate yourself to those new actualities of your life?
Is there anything in your life you feel has been polluted or desecrate this year? How might you re-dedicate yourself to purifying those aspects of your life?
Individual Activities
Healthy Habits
What one healthy habit in your life might benefit from a rededication? Make a plan today to build that habit back into your routine (e.g. exercise, cooking at home more, meditation, spending more connecting with family and friends
Rebuild the Jewish Experience
What Jewish activities or behaviors would you like to rededicate yourself to in the coming weeks and months? Make a plan today to build that Jewish experience into your routine (e.g. attending TBE events, Torah Study, or Shabbat Services more regularly, exploring a mindful Jewish eating practice, purchasing a copy of our prayerbook, Mishkan T’filah), and dedicate yourself to a few moments of morning prayer each day.
Support Shalom Green
Rededicate yourself to our earth – it’s the only one we’ve got! Support Shalom Green’s community garden here:
Family Activities
SHARE YOUR PASSIONS
Each member of your family has different passions and interests to which they commit a lot of their time and energy. We are often so busy that we do not have a chance to share them with each other.
Family Time
Dedicate family time for each member of the family to share something about their passions. Have children teach the rest of the family how to play a favorite sport or how to make a favorite craft.
Learn Together
Choose a new family activity that will require dedication. Have the gifts for this night of Chanukah be tools to help you engage in that activity together.
