The Hanukkiah's Secrets for Good Mothers
Four lessons from the Hanukkah lights: give every child warmth, avoid favoritism, make time for each child's uniqueness, and love children without using them to enhance your own reputation.
Articles
Articles, recipes, prayers and stories about family, motherhood and Jewish traditions.
Kislev: Going beyond our natural limits
Kislev is a time of miracles. Through the miracles on Yaakov's journey and the choices of Rachel and Leah, the weekly portion teaches us to trust the Almighty and find the strength to go beyond our i…
Hanukkah – and a Mother's Joy
The beginning is here A Mother's Joy And now it is time to explain what ima semecha means. Hannah was the mother of 7 sons. The oppressor wanted to force each of them to bow down to an idol. None of…
Hanukkah—to Warm Hearts
Why do we eat levivot (pancakes) on Hanukkah? To warm levavot (hearts). One of the human qualities the Almighty values most is lev tov, a good heart. What is Greek philosophy? It is intellect, it is…
Zot Hanukkah—the Eighth Day of Hanukkah—and Hanukkah Miracles
As is well known, under Jewish law the obligation to kindle the Hanukkah lights is fulfilled if each day one lights "Ner ish uveito"—"(one) candle for a person and his household," as mentioned in the…
On One Foot—Rosh Chodesh Tevet
Let us bring a little Hanukkah light into this dark winter month of Tevet! It is a month without holidays, so it is all the more important to make the warm light of the Hanukkah candles last longer.…
A Candle at Auschwitz
Dear friends! I want to share a story I heard about five years ago and have remembered every Hanukkah since. Unfortunately, I do not remember the details, so if anyone knows more precisely, especiall…
Coincidence or..?
The Berlin–Munich express train unexpectedly stopped at the station in the small town of Gera. The stop was unplanned, because the town of Gera (this took place between the two world wars) was out of…
Cranberries That Grew on an Olive Tree - The Story of a "Russian" Jewish Woman
the life story of a "Russian" Jewish woman Three candles are burning on our hanukkiah near the philharmonic hall, and snowflakes melt around them. Jews are dancing. Passersby glance over curiously an…
Hanukkah, the Sale of Joseph, and Unity
Under Greek rule, the light of Torah did not die out among our people thanks to the incredible self-sacrifice of a single family, the Hasmoneans. They managed to save the entire Jewish people, spirit…
What Will I Tell Dad?
“What luxury!” thought Reb Zalman, staring in astonishment at the furnishings in the home of his hospitable host, Reb William, the famous Italian millionaire and philanthropist known for his generosi…
Hanukkah Gelt — The Story of a Jewish Soul’s Rescue
Our Sages said (Berakhot, 10a): “Even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, let him not despair of mercy (from the L-rd).” “With this the Torah cautions us: if a person sees that trouble is ne…