Mem – kaf – bet – yod – – the first letters of the first four words of the prayer mi chamocha. Today our religious school principal helped our students made the connection between the letters and the Macabee family so integral to the Hanukkah story. Miracles in the past – the splitting of the sea, the choice of Jews to stand up for Judaism and the joys that Judaism adds to our lives, the survival of our people despite an Amalek in every generation, and the smaller miracles of the Jewish growth of young people (despite their desire to absent themsevles from religious school emotionally if not physically).

During these darkest days of the year (in the Northern hemisphere) I pray that we find light, hope and the daily miracles around us.

Sandra, the nanny of Moshe Holtzberg, shines as a bright spot (thanks to Aussie Dave for the expression) in the horrors of the Mumbai terror attack.  Read Aussue Dave’s blog Israellycool for more. Thanks Aussie Dave for sharing the interview with the blog world.

Update:

One of the Jewish women killed in the attack was planning to make aliyah tomorrow. So sad. (Information from JTA.)

My saddness about the Mumbai terrorist attacks deepened a few minutes ago when I read on Israel Matzav’s blog that some of the Mumbai terrorists had rented spece at the Chabad house.  To live amongst and know the people whom they attacked and killed intensifies the horror of their actions.

Voting is a privilege and a modern day mitzvah (commandment). I believe that it is incumbent on all Jews to vote in every country a or jurisdiction where we are permitted to vote.  How can we consider this a mitzvah? The Talmud teaches us din d’malchuta dina – the law of the land is the law. We must follow the laws of the country in which we live. While there isn’t a law which states that we must vote, the right is available to nearly all adults over the age of 18 regardless of race, gender, religion, sexuality, socio-economic status, physical ability…. If we do not elect to vote, then we are not acting on the rights available to us under the law. Pirke Avot (Ethics of the Ancestors) teaches us lo alecha hamlacha ligmor, v’lo ata ben khoirn l’hibateil me’mena – you are not required to complete the work but neither may you desist from it. We must participate in the society and world around us, including voting.

Rabbi Deena Fox explicates the text in Talmud Arachin 17a on leadership, a discussion of whether leaders determine the characterisation of the generation or if the generation determins the leaders. Today in the United States citizens have the opportunity to help shape the character of this generation. Shape the next steps of our country – go vote!

Just a quick post to wish you and all those whom you love a wonderful, healthy, joyful, reflective New Year.  May 5769 be a year of promise, hope, success and peace.