I love seeing menorahs in other people’s windows. It is such a happy sight and it makes me feel warm and cozy. And it reminds me not of the Chanukah miracle exactly, but of a generalized sense of peace and gratitude for the good things in life. In keeping with the idea that Chanukah is about not only open …
I’m excited for Chanukah to begin next week! Some years it just sneaks up on me but this year I’m ready. A quick reminder of one of the better-known answers to the question of why we celebrate eight nights of Chanukah if the miracle was only for seven (after all, the oil was expected to last through that first …
Okay, the title is a bit misleading because it’s not a real-real menorah, it’s one of those basic brass numbers that’ll hold a row of oil cups. And I’m not filling the cups myself, or threading the wicks, I bought a case of those pre-filled cups that are stacked sky-high in the grocery store. But it’s a first, because I’ve …
Oh, Chanukah, you came so quickly (wasn’t it just Elul?!) and now you’re halfway over. You came so quickly, in fact, that I was utterly unprepared for you (I know, I know, I did think about presents, but not much else, to be honest). Well, I’ll think about you now. And this is what I’m thinking: darkness candle winter miracle …
Sometimes we have a grab bag at our family Chanukah parties and it’s so much fun. Basically, everyone brings a wrapped gift that cost less than $5 and puts it in a giant bag (you can separate adult and kid gifts if you’d like). The fun is mostly in getting to tear off the wrapping paper. It’s not really about …
This past Shabbos, I was away with some friends and we were cracking up because anytime someone complimented someone else on a piece of jewelry, she would automatically add, “Did you buy that for yourself?” Looks like we’ve all gotten used to getting ourselves gifts. (It’s a good thing!) For Chanukah, I’m thinking about a cookbook — like The …
Tonight I did a free writing class for Chanukah from Yocheved Rottenberg of Write Your Way Home. (I’m sure if you contact her through the site, she’d send it to you). The following is what I wrote for one of the exercises, a Captured Moment from a Chanukah gone by. I walk across the expansive dining room to the …
Rav Dessler writes in Michtav Me’Eliyahu that it’s natural for someone to start a Y”T on a high and then slowly lose enthusiasm over the course of the chag. (Think about the difference in the atmosphere on the first night as opposed to the last afternoon of a Y”T, if you can relate). Not so for a Jew who is …
Here are eight gift ideas for Chanukah 
. I aimed to keep the list low-cost, and most of these items are under $25. Happy gifting!
