aaeds/blog

Dear Parents:

At my house last week, we recited the Shehecheyanu prayer at our Thanksgiving dinner, and we will do it again each night of Hanukkah.  I felt blessed for all who gathered in my home on Thursday. As the decorative candles burned, we felt safe, and warm and free.  For the moment, we were insulated from feeling vulnerable; from sickness, brutality, and nature's fury.

“How close were the fires?” the out-of-towners asked.  

“Too close,” we replied.

Soon we will gather again watching different kinds of candles burn. The candles on the Hanukkiah will also make us feel safe and warm and free.  For eight days, we will feel insulated from vulnerability; from tyranny, brutality, and prejudice. We will take our strength from the story of the Maccabees, and teach our children to stand for what is right.      

“How close were we Jews to annihilation?” our children may ask.

“Too close,” we reply.

With much gratitude for all that is good and for bringing us to this season, let's take strength from our traditions and our beliefs by reciting the Shehecheyanu each night of Hanukkah.

�'ָּרוּךְ אַתָּ�" אֲ�"ֹנָי אֱלֹ�"ֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ �"ָעוֹלָם, שֶׁ�"ֶ�-ֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְ�"ִ�'ִּיעָנוּ לַ�-ְּמָן �"ַ�-ֶּ�"

Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu, Melech haolam, shehecheyanu, v'kiy'manu, v'higiyanu laz'man hazeh.

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.

May we all be safe and warm and free.

B'Shalom,

Sari