Quirky thoughts from an old man.
Happy Hanukkah
A country must be allowed to fight incursions that kill it citizens. I’m not a religious Jew but I will be praying this holiday season for moderate Palestinians and moderate Israelis to find ways to live and prosper together in peace. Shalom.
“It is not that Israel has kept the Sabbath; the Sabbath has kept Israel.”
A view in the door of the Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island. It is the oldest synagogue building in the United States. The oldest congregation is in NYC and the oldest continuously operating synagogue is in Charleston. So many superlatives, so little time.
Anyway the Touro Synagogue has a wonderful story and is an architectural gem.
Giving gifts at Hanukkah is a fairly new tradition. In the past small coins were given to children, they played dreidel with them and the winner was expected to give some of the money to Sedakah. This evolved over time into Hanukkah gelt. Almost certainly the gifts evolved to make this Jewish holiday that falls so close to Christmas a contender. Continue reading “Hanukkah (The Last Night)”
On Hanukkah we eat fried food suvganyot, latkes etc to commemorate the miracle of the oil. One day’s oil lasted eight days. Continue reading “Hanukkah (Day Six)”
Yesterday I asked “What is the difference between a habit and a ritual?” and I answered it: “About a hundred years.” Continue reading “Rituals 2”
MEAL TIME ON EL-AL
It was mealtime during a flight on El-Al. “Would you like dinner?” the flight attendant asked Moishe, seated in front. “What are my choices?” Moishe asked. “Yes or no,” she replied.
Lots more if you click on more. How hard can it be. Thanks to Gil R. for this collection.
