Posts from the ‘Holidays’ category

Holidays and holy times in the secular and Jewish calendars.

Al Hanism, 5784

On Hanukkah it’s traditional to add Al Hanisim, “About the Miracles,” to the Amidah and the Grace after Meals. How do we praise God’s miracles in…

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The Sound of Holiness

What do we hear when we listen to the shofar? The sound of holiness? But what does that mean? Perhaps only a poet can answer. This…

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Hallel in Peril

As we approach Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Monday evening and Tuesday, how can we recite Hallel — joyous psalms of praise — in fear for the State…

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Inside the (Hanukkah) Light

This meditation on light pluses with hope, carrying echoes of Hanukkah. It’s about seeing, feeling, and loving the light shining around us, and our yearning to…

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Come, Beloved

A meditation on Shabbat, inspired by Lecha Dodi, Yedid Nefesh, and the Song of Songs. Join me in an exploration of Shabbat as the basis of…

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Why Do You Slumber?

This new Yom Kippur meditation is inspired by the two Haftorot we read on that day. In the morning, we hear Isaiah’s great call to justice…

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Crossing

A prayer for Shabbat Beshalach in which we hear the Song of the Sea, sung after the just-freed Hebrew slaves, being pursued by armies, make it…

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Coaxing Miracles

For the last night of Hanukkah, a meditation on small miracles. Coaxing Miracles Miracles Can start out as Tiny things. Specks of G-d’s love Floating all…

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The One about Kittens

Living in Jerusalem, I’m told, eventually every writer, sooner or later, writes about cats. I suppose the same thing could be said about Key West, with…

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A Covid Yizkor Prayer

This is a new Yizkor prayer to be read on behalf of the entire community for those who perished due to Covid-19. The core paragraph is…

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