I was invited to appear alongside Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Fox News’ show, Spirited Debate, to discuss the commercialization of Chanukah. As we discuss, I don’t think people should be defined by what they spend on any holiday, whether it’s Christmas or Chanukah. It’s about announcing a miracle, so go for it. But one shouldn’t be measured by how they celebrate, or ashamed by it either. What do you think? Click here to see our discussion....
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The time-honored American tradition of Thanksgiving is upon us and among the parades, football, and turkey (or maybe Tofurkey),?it begins a much anticipated holiday season. The winter rubric moves us symbolically from thankfulness to joyfulness to hopefulness, and culminates with many feeling inspired to make significant changes in their lives – with a New Year’s resolution. When the clock strikes midnight to welcome 2016, nearly 50% of Americans will make a resolution. However, it’s estimated that only 8% of these people will successfully achieve their resolution. What stops us from completing our......
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Thanksgiving is upon us. Soon, we’ll be shopping for Thanksgiving dinner, buying more than 50 million turkeys and spending more than $2.8 billion at the grocery store. Over 25 million people will hop on an airplane, and millions more will hit the road or board a train, in order to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones. The traveling, shopping, cooking and spending will be worth it as studies indicate that out of all American holidays, Thanksgiving is the one that consistently makes us happy. As the number of Americans who choose not to......
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Passover 2015 begins Friday, April 3, at sundown. It’s the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in America and is often called the Festival of Freedom, as it celebrates the biblical Israelites’ exodus (hence the English name of the second book of the Hebrew Bible) from slavery in Egypt.?But what does freedom mean, and what sort of freedom does Passover actually celebrate? Well, here’s one way to find out. Try answering this question: What’s a three-word phrase that celebrates freedom? How about this: At your service. The ability and willingness to serve lies......
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I love the holiday season. Whether in the subway, on the streets, or even at airport security, people are gentler and kinder. I know I look into people’s faces more often during this period and see more smiles, more understanding, and more connection. The myriad lights of Hanukkah menorahs and Christmas trees and all the other lights of sacred days from Kwanza to Winter Solstice bring out the best in people. And the stories in the air do the same. Hanukkah’s message that no matter how dark it gets, or how impossible......
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Spirituality & Faith, Wisdom Warehouse |
December 16, 2014
Hanukkah Not ‘Jewish Christmas,’ Or Is It?
Hanukkah 2014 begins tonight, December 15, at sundown. That date corresponds to the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev, for you Jewish calendar buffs. And why does the holiday begin at Sundown, not midnight, as all days on the secular calendar? Because according to Jewish tradition, every day begins at sundown. Think of this as both a tribute to how time is counted in the Genesis creation story – “And it was evening and it was morning…” – and also as a way to let people know that even though most......
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