(15) Peter Jacob Sachs , December 24, 2008

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

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

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

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

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.

(10) David S. Levine , December 23, 2008

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

That was beautiful - Chag Sameach

That was Beautiful - Chag Sameach

(8) Chana Zelasko , December 22, 2008

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?