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November 2009 |
Playing dreidel, singing songs, lighting candles, getting presents, getting together with friends and family, raising your cholesterol to alarming levels through the consumption of oil-soaked latkes and doughnuts... Chanukah always holds a special place in the heart of every Jew.
But it seems to me that for many of us, Chanukah means more than the sum of its parts. Possibly more than any other Jewish holiday, Chanukah creates cherished memories that remain with us throughout our lives.
I'll never forget the treasure hunts my father set up for us on the nights of Chanukah. After we all lit candles, he would hand us a piece of paper with a clue, which led us to another clue hidden somewhere in the house. This kept us busy for quite some time, running around from room to room until we found all of the clues and, ultimately, our "treasure" of presents. (Now there were times that my treasure consisted of a box of tissues... but it's the thought that counts, right?)
But with so many holidays throughout the year, why does Chanukah always stand out as one of the best? I'd like to offer one suggestion: because for many, it is one of the only Jewish holidays in which our observance takes place almost exclusively at home.
Sure, we may come to LNJC for a Chanukah party, we add a few special prayers in our synagogue service and we learn all about the holiday in Hebrew School... but this is one holiday where the "main attraction" - each night's candle lighting - takes place in our homes, amongst family and friends. Kind of gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling, doesn't it?
If it does, then I have good news for you. You don't need to wait until Chanukah to give your family the kind of life-long memories that result from home-based Jewish observance. Our religion offers us weekly opportunities to celebrate our "Jewishness" at home with our families - a holiday known as Shabbat.
In our home, on Friday night after services, my family sits down to Shabbat dinner. We kick things off by singing "Shalom Aleichem" to any number of melodies, followed by "Eishet Chayil", our weekly "ode" to my wife. (And even though my younger kids don't yet know the words, they are always eager to yell "Yay Ima!" throughout.) We then sing the Kiddush together, bless our children, wash our hands with a blessing and say "Hamotzi" - often over Mairov's delicious homemade challah. We conclude our meal with a rousing Birkat Hamazon - the Grace After Meals.
My parents gave me the gift of these weekly memories when I was growing up, and I'm proud to offer the same gift to my children.
Sure, when Chanukah rolls around, we'll take out the video camera for candle lighting as we do one night every year, to capture these precious memories on film. You can't help but smile as you watch the kids say the blessings and light the candles, all on their own. But Chanukah is just one of the MANY opportunities we have to "be Jewish" at home with our families. And if you haven't tried it lately, you're only a few days away from your next chance. Give it a try! One day, your kids will thank you.
Happy Chanukah!
Cantor Joshua Shron