Now we are enjoying the holiday of Hanukkah, by lighting candles, eating special foods such as latkes or jelly doughnuts, playing with dreidels, and/or singing with our families and friends. The holiday of Hanukkah commemorates two miracles, the miracle of the military victory of the Jews against the Greeks around 167-160 BCE, and the miracle of the oil found in the Temple to light the menorah that lasted for eight days, although it was enough for only one day.
There are many miracles to celebrate, each and every day. Here are some daily miracles that I always celebrate:
- Talking to a friend: on a porch, as we walk, on the road…talking.
- A glass of wine, drunk slowly.
- Finishing an issue of the New Yorker.
- One line of Torah, debated with smart people.
- Any moment when I am able to see things clearly, and better even when I get confirmation that what I saw was true.
- The moment I recognize that I have been just fully connected to God.
- The feel of the yarn as it flows through my needles or hooks.
- A nice rain when I’m not in the mood to water my garden.
- Sunny days when I can hang out with the plants.
- Snow in its season.
- Hot chocolate, chocolate chip cookies after enjoying a walk in the snow.
- Chocolate.
- Watching soccer with my family.
- Watching baseball with my family.
- Watching hockey with my family.
- Watching basketball with my family.
- My family.
- People with a good sense of humor.
- Children’s eyes when they make a discovery.
- My students’ laughter.
- Time with friends.
- The support and the love I feel coming from each of you.
This is not a complete list, by any stretch of the imagination. Today, I wish you a happy Hanukkah, filled with light, good food, family and friends, and the recognition of the many miracles we all have in our lives.