Video: Chanukah's Glow

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Published: December 20, 2008

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Visitor Comments: 21

(20) Iris Moskovitz, June 18, 2009 7:41 PM

Beautiful ,well spoken presentation.

As a young child, I remember how I felt pride when my zaidy would light the menorah, and recite the brachos so meaningfully. My gentile neighbors always would be so impressed to hear a 10 year old give an explanation for the lighting of the menorah. They would let me know that they really did not understand the whole "story" behind their X-Mas holiday. This made me feel super proud that what we were doing actually had a meaning behind it. Thanks for allowing me to relive my youth. All the best-Bis 120,Lori.

(19) Anonymous, December 30, 2008 9:31 PM

very moving

A very touching remembrance. Though a Christian, I am moved at Channukah and by Lori's wonderful story. I have many fond memories of seeing the Channukah lights in neighbors' homes. Another story on the site teels of the feeling of kinship one Jewish chiled felt with a friend's family down the street - the only two homes with 8 candles in the widows.. Channakuh is an inspiration to all that Israel is Light to the nations..... Lori's mention of the 8 days fom gift broguht back fond memories. While growing up, I had a best friend who was Jewish and he good-naturedly ribbed me that he had 8 days of gifts and I only had one, etc. Indianapolis in the 1960's was not without prejudice and my friend's family could not join a private swim club, but we enjoyed taking him as a guest more often then allowed.... :-) It is too bad that the "Macy's" aspect of Christmas and rampant commercialism has overhshadowed the true meaning of Christmas (insert Linus' soliqouy from Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon) Let us rejoice each other's lights....

(18) Monica, December 25, 2008 8:08 PM

That was wonderful!

Your commentary was wonderful! It made me cry with joy! I feel exactly the same way you do ... Thank you for expressing it so well ...Wishing you a glorious Chanukah filled with light ...

(17) D'vora Gelfond, December 25, 2008 3:23 PM

BEAUTIFUL!

Lori, once again you bring things right to the point in such a beautiful inspiring way. Right across the street we have a big display of x-mas lights. Right next door to them is my friends house with their menorahs. After we lit ours the second night, I looked out the window and said to my kids...Look at our friends menorahs, we can see it from here!! They got so excited and didn't even comment on the x-mas lights. It was because of this video that I thought to look for their menorahs and show my kids. We then called our friends and left them a hearty happy Chanukah on their machine. Thank you!

(16) Odelia, December 24, 2008 8:01 AM

Thank you for giving me something to think about as I light the candles tonight

(15) Peter Jacob Sachs, December 24, 2008 4:30 AM

Great thanks Lori from The Netherlands

When the haert is connected to the brain the Soul comes out and the light is spread around. The light of Tora ans Mitzwah. Thank you Lori for this great simple story.

(14) Sofer Elam, December 23, 2008 9:43 PM

My addition is like the one you spoke of in your childhood....

I'm literally cornered by the Rudolphs'and the Santas'because our home is in the middle of the culdesac. All around on every street there's flashing Christmas lights. But, when my six-year old grandson lights his Chanukiah and says the blessings without a miss.....my heart is full of light and it makes their lights seem pretty dull. Especially when the Chunukia is lit and in the window. That's when I tell the little ones, as they play with their dreidels, the diference between the flashing lights of fairy tales and the bright light of rededication and truth of miraculous love. Thank you so much for this lesson....I will have all six of my grandsons watch it....as well as their parents. This video makes me proud to be a Jew! May the Light Of The Holy One illumine your path throughout this holiday of rededication. Happy Chanukah...Lori!

(13) Anonymous, December 23, 2008 8:30 PM

wow

thank you, really beautiful. Chanukah is THE best- the feeling of warmth (not physical that is) in the family and between each Jew is amazing when lighting the chanukah candles. You just can't help but SMILE (: !

(12) Dvorah Leah, December 23, 2008 1:58 PM

I related to your experience, especially not feeling envy.

New York is all aglow, and the meaning behind the feeling of lighting our Menorahs is transcendent. Yes, being in Israel is like being Home.

(11) Matityahu, December 23, 2008 12:39 PM

Make your own revolt

I also live in Israel. Unlike the fortunate, the Haifa area has xmas decore in many places. Chanukah to me is not just about keeping tradition. It's about doing something to purge our land of the pagan traditions brought here by those we chose to save from oppression. Let's stand up to our government to preserve the merging of xtianity into our Land by the goyim we permited to immigrate into our land.

Cathryn, November 23, 2011 3:04 AM

Hmm...

I find it interesting, Matityahu, that you want Israel to oppress the people that it chose to save from oppression. Freedom of religion in Israel is one of the many things that make Israel so wonderful and unique compared to the other countries in the Middle East. Live and let live!

(10) David S. Levine, December 23, 2008 10:11 AM

Wonderful, Beautiful and Relevant!

By the time Lori finished tears were in my eyes. I HAD to send this around to every Jew on my email list, whether religious or secular. Lori REALLY captured what this holiday should be about for us. And thank G-d we have it at this time of year!

(9) Eileen, December 23, 2008 8:26 AM

That was beautiful - Chag Sameach

That was Beautiful - Chag Sameach

(8) Chana Zelasko, December 22, 2008 11:41 AM

What a difference

It's so different in Eretz Yisroel. I took a walk tonight in Beitar Elite where I live. In almost every window you can see a Chanuka Menorah. And you don't have "the other holiday" interference. I feel so blessed to live here.

(7) Anonymous, December 22, 2008 9:39 AM

simple grace

I thought this presentation by Lori was beautifully done, simple but full of beauty, peace and grace. Thank you.

(6) Erica, December 22, 2008 8:48 AM

You're 100% Correct.

My Parents do both Christmas and Chanuka. How that we are all grown they just to Chanuka. It's so peaceful. All the Jewish Holidays are. Its really about thankfulness, and the inner light.

(5) Michal, December 21, 2008 3:19 PM

Brilliant talk, really made me well up inside thinking about what it means to be a Jew, a light unto the nations indeed!

(4) sharona, December 21, 2008 2:18 PM

great message

It's deffinatly important for us Jews to understand the meaning of Chanuka and what it means to be Jewish. Chanuka is about sticking to our heritage. It was tempting back then to follow the Greeks, and now it's tempting for some to follow other things. But we need to remember our role in this world, which is to keep the Torah and Mitzvos and keep the light shining

(3) Anonymous, December 21, 2008 10:54 AM

thank you lori.

yes, even as youngsters we knew we were different. the lights across the street didn't mean too much to us, we had our chanukah candles, dreidles, and hot latkes, along with mom and dad for the week of chanukah and we had everything we needed.

(2) Rebecca, December 21, 2008 10:53 AM

Happy Hanukkah to you too!

My whole family enjoys watching your video blog. When we go into the archives to watch old ones, my kids say, "Play that one! Play that one!" We all hope to meet you in person some day! (We wish we could go to the conference in Mexico, but oh well...) Happy Hanukkah, Rebecca H.

(1) Moshe Rosen, December 21, 2008 9:44 AM

Chanukah lights

Thanks for another well-meaningful video post, Lori. If only more Jews would adhere to their Judaism and not marry off a non-Jew. When I see my Jewish peers intermarrying, it concerns me how much they are going astray, but I don't know what to say to them since it may come off as nagging/lecturing on why Jews should only marry other Jews. There is the possibility the children of an intermarried couple may get confused with the holiday season to the point they ask, "who am I?" I understand that one reason to marry Jewish is that while intermarriage may make a couple more aware of other religious backgrounds, it will hardly enhance his/her Judaism. So, on Chanukah, how could I be a point of light without all the Xmas flashiness to encourage other Jewish peers, regardless of how religious they are on why they should marry other Jews? How could I go about advising them before or even after some or many of them intermarry and attempt to combine Xmas and Chanukah, among other Jewish and Christian holidays? As for me, I'm still looking for my bashert, but it doesn't seem so easy with being blended in and assimilating with American culture, whereas it may be easier in Israel. Should I understand myself more first before I be a consultant to my Jewish peers? I understand the vital importance of being Jewish and why to marry a Jewish woman, but how much more do I need to know on what it means to be Jewish and not intermarry?...Growing up, I didn't envy Xmas too badly, and always celebrated Chanukah without ever having a Xmas tree in the house. Furthermore, is it a mitzvah for a Jew to refrain from getting caught up in the "Christmas spirit" since it is ultimately a pagan holiday? And, how can we still be tolerant between Jews and non-Jews with the corresponding holidays?

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

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Chanukah's Glow

'Tis the season to know what it means to be a Jew.

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