May the lights of Hanukkah usher in a better world for humankind

We are called to re-dedicate ourselves to one another, to Israel, to stand against antisemitism, and to bring more light into a dark world.

Celebrate Jeshua and the Festival of Lights with us

Whilst we rejoice together in the miracles of Hanukkah, and the miracles that God is doing today in our lives, we can take time to gather with different people around us, to talk about the wonders of God and how he provided a saviour, who is bringing light to our world.

Fish vs. Pond Size – Jewish Community Edition

For a community that is already small in normal times, there has been a time of more loneliness during the lockdown periods due to the impact of the Coronavirus.
In some countries, things are allowed to return to normal, while in others, such as Belgium, we are still very cautious and foresee Zoom meetings.

We can imagine that in several countries the communities are still a shadow of what they once were. Getting all the congregants turning up again will also not be so simple, because often people have to travel some kilometres to come to service, and as such shall lose again some time by travelling to and fro.

For many, it will be a matter of readjustment and of having healthy fresh water in the fishbowl again. For many, it is also not so evident to get back in form and in confidence to share some tasks. Some prefer to stay in the shadow, whilst others would not mind being lions leading the troup.

We may question how far we as a community want to feel the collective experience. For months, many of us became accustomed to the private enclosure, and prayer time on our own at home.
Now going to yeshivah demands again some effort people have to bring up after work or daily duties.

After the Covid pandemic, we need retaining walls to carry out our daily work and bring life back to the brewery. For this, big fish are welcome to pull the procession of little fish along in an adventure of reading and study, but also of reflection and argumentation.

Now it may well be that people have come to a point where they want to look further afield and go to places where the sea is deeper but where the fauna is also wider and more abundant.

Do not mind exploring other Jewish communities, even when they may be much further or even out of state.
Who would not love to look for a Jewish or a Jeshuaist community that not only is vibrant and fully egalitarian, but also a Jewish community that is still a moderate-big pond post-pandemic with an existing coral infrastructure?

Those who are able to such larger communities are the lucky ones.

I want to be a smaller fish in this pond. I’d like to grow into a big star Torah-reading fish again. And I’m willing to take on some of those thankless coral jobs for the right community. But mostly, I really just want to feel like a fish again.

But do not be discouraged by the lack of large communities. We must be fully aware that, as Children of God, we will only be part of small communities. It is up to us to bring life into our very small communities. Each of us must bring new oxygen and even though the Covid period is not yet over, we must bring back the taste for more. Sometimes we have to do the digging ourselves to make the pond bigger.

Now is the time to bring out the picks and shovels and build a stage on which we can sing and dance together.

Jewish Young Professional

I thought I’d offer a somewhat different take on Fandango’s Provocative Question, as it got me thinking about my preferences and priorities for the Jewish community I want to be a part of, and how they have changed.

I’ve written before about my love for the singing, dancing, energy and celebration of “Big Party Judaism“. I guess this would be a small fish in a big pond model. Even aside from the fun social aspect, I enjoy the spiritual energy of Judaism in a large group of people.

Party time! Photo byQuang Nguyen VinhfromPexels

That said, when it comes to having a congregational home, I found myself more at home in the big fish in a small pond model. I gravitated towards communities where I’d play a bigger more active role, say, as a regular Torah/Haftarah reader, vs. a more passive one…

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Melt the Ice of Form and Become a Blessing to the World

In our capitalist consumerist world, lots of people have the light of their hearts extinguished to feast their eyes on the light of all that is without substance and as such there is by many no natural urge anymore that lives in their hearts so that they are not strengthened.
But each person has the possibility to light a fire and meditate in prayer. Many have to find the light that has some heat to melt the heart of ice and have the warm blood running again through the veins.

Putting the world aside and giving space to yourself again in time, that is where the secret lies hidden, to getting to know that true self and coming closer to the One Who is The Being, The I Who Am, The Eh-heh-yeh ashair Eh-heh- yeh.

Walking the Bridge Books

Isaac said,

Let’s speak about the water of life. Water comes in several forms. But it is still and always Water, just as the One is always One. Water can be ice, liquid or steam. Consider that ice is form; water could represent consciousness; steam represents awareness.

We humans are all three of these: form, consciousness, awareness. But we have focused upon and become fascinated with our “ice” form – our body and our physical world. We tend to think the body is us, the body is all we are.

But as we know, whatever we focus upon becomes more solid and more real.

In coming to earth, we have put virtually all our attention into our form, our “ice.” That’s why we appear to be in these bodies.

As the Baal Shem Tov teaches, wherever your mind is, there you are.
Even though we exist as consciousness and awareness…

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To know the power of verses of Psalms

The chapters of Psalms shatter all barriers and give us so much material to build us up to be able to come closer to the Highest of all.

No good without some evil mixed in

From the beginning of times, since man rebelled against God, good and evil got mixed.

Was Adam without hope?

After having eaten from "the Tree of life" was there still hope for Adam?

Adam and the Tree of Life

Had one to eat regularly of the fruit of "The Tree of Life" to get eternal life?

Seventy-five years ago on January 27

An estimated 1.3 million people were sent to Auschwitz, and 1.1 million died there including 960,000 Jews. When 75 years  ago,  the  100th  and  322nd  divisions  of  the  Soviet  Army’s “1st Ukrainian  Front”  reached  the  Nazi  concentration  and  extermination  camp  of  Auschwitz-Birkenau they could not believe their eyes. Lots more soldiers came to see similar horror places and being disgusted by that what seemed inhuman many became convinced the whole world should know about this and should make sure this could never happen again.

Dark times looking like death is around the corner – but Light given to us

The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing. In these darker days many may feel depressed or become confronted with the passing away of people or beloved animals. Though we do have 8 days to remember how light is given by God and how the temple, His House, was restored.

Husband to an ancient nation

We should look at the Most High Elohim, how He had chosen Himself a set-apart (or holy) people. Also in the parable of the Wedding banquet, mentioned in Matthew 22, we hear how He as the king invited His people. Because many did no go into His invitation He sent out His servants to invite…

How you make…

Sacred Touches

**Image via Pinterest

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Call to help others

When celebrating Passover we should count our blessings and be thankful that God was willing to be by His People and to guide all of those who are willing to believe in Him and praise Him. That gratitude we should share with others and we should be ready to witness about that salvation and hope which is given to us and the rest of the world.

A night different from all other nights and days to remember

Bondage may come to an end, but requires action from each individual. We may count on it that the Elohim shall redeem the oppressed advancing His agenda of oneness.

A meal as a mitzvah so that every generation would remember

Jeshua asks his followers to repent and offered himself as a ransom to liberate us from the curse of death. 14 Nisan may than be the opening of Hag ha-Herut or The Holiday of Freedom.