Eight Personal Meditations for the Eight Days of Light
By Rabbi Karyn Kedar
First Candle: The Light of Miracles
Everyday that I awake, I have the possibility of seeing my life as a miracle. How would my life be different if I believed in the miracle of my being, of my daily life, of my power? God, grant me the awareness of the miracle of life. May the lights of Chanukah enlighten my life to goodness and splendor and to miracles everywhere.
Dear friends,
I began listening to live Israeli radio yesterday at 4:00AM and continued to monitor the news, listening to the reactions of Israelis and watching for glimpses of Gilad Shalit. Everyone is struggling. The arguments regarding the morality of the prisoner exchange are complex. Emotions are high all on sides. Moments after his release we listened to Gilad ask for peace as he is interviewed by Egyptian television. We see a thin pale boy, who has not seen the light of day or people for years, stare at the cameras and say that he hopes that all will lay down their weapons. At the same moment, we hear the released prisoners and terrorists, as well as their leaders, vow to kidnap more Israeli soldiers in order to gain the release of those left in Israeli prisons. This has been the dialogue for decades – peace vs. violence. Both side entrenched in their positions.
Dear congregants,
I know that you have all heard the news about the deal that was signed between the Israeli government and Hamas releasing Gilad Shalit in exchange for 1,000 Palestinians in Israeli prisons. On June 25, 2006, Shalit was captured by terrorists who infiltrated an Israeli army post near Gaza. During the raid, two IDF soldiers were killed and three others wounded.
Elul 25
The Music of Darkness by Karyn Kedar
It was early September. My husband and I went on a high–speed car chase around the valleys and mountains of the Grand Tetons to capture a glimpse of the setting sun.
With five minutes to spare before the spray of light turned dark, we found a spot nestled in a valley on the side of the road with no mountain crag to obscure our view. Simply the horizon, the setting sun, and majestic colors of miracle and awe.
