Kislev 5784 (November 13, 2023)

Can you believe it's almost time to break out the candles and gelt for Hanukkah? In some ways it feels like I was just sending out my Elul newsletter and starting the semester, and in other ways it feels like a lifetime has passed in Cheshvan alone. 

This month has been rough on the world, and it's also been a month of struggle for me personally. The first semester of Rabbinical school has been a challenge academically and moving to a new place is a challenge socially. All that said, I have had the chance to meet incredible people and to start a few projects that I'll be working on this upcoming year (see: Fishing for Torah, @JewishSwiftie). That includes some exciting new designs on my redbubble shop, which might be great Hanukkah gifts, especially if you have a Jewish swiftie in your life...

Kislev, the third month of the Jewish civil year, is famously the month in which Hanukkah begins.  This month is both a time of celebration and a testament to the strength cultivated through challenges. As we approach the darkest time of year, I'm finding myself reflecting on the resilience that we teach in the Hanukkah story and its intense resonance this year.

Hanukkah's tale of resistance against the threat of Jewish annihilation can be seen as a poignant reflection of contemporary struggles. The flickering candles, symbolic of hope amid darkness, offer a beacon of strength, but there's also a palpable concern about potential militaristic responses, echoing the ongoing dilemma of self-defense versus escalation. It feels impossible to balance the preservation of our identity, mourning the recent tragedy, and confronting an uncertain future. The Hanukkah story reminds us that resilience and hope endure even in the face of profound adversity.

There is a ton of Hanukkah content on my website (LearnWithLFG.com) if you're looking for some extra learning leading up to the Festival of Lights! 

Here's a Kislev prompt to think/write/draw/meditate about,