Happy chanukkah

robinleigh
robinleigh Member Posts: 297
in Head and Neck Cancer #1
Just in case there are members of the Jewish faith here, as well!

We are a mixed marriage and celebrate life in a spiritual way that is not exactly affiliated with an organized religion.

Maybe there are others battling cancer here that relate to a less structured religion?

Anyhow, however you embrace the universe....happy holidays!!!

Robin

Comments

  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    #2
    Enjoy
    I like that wording - "however you embrace the universe".
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #3
    Pam M said:

    Enjoy
    I like that wording - "however you embrace the universe".

    Haha
    Just an old hippie at heart!
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #4
    We celebrate Hanukkah
    We are UU's - my very tenuous link to being a Jew is a great-great grandfather who my grandmother always thought was a secret Jew. That does not stop us from celebrating Hanukkah (and Christmas and Passover and Easter and Eid el-Adha and other fun holidays - none of the fasting ones, however).

    Since it is not in my immediate religious tradition, I can interpret Hanukkah any way I want, which is this: Don't put off a celebration just because you don't have everything ready (in my world, that time never comes anyway). Don't worry whether the oil/candles/whatever will last until you can make more - light 'em up and be happy now. Ignore anyone who claims you can't party (or occupy your temple) until you are healthy (or have enough sacred oil).

    I'm not really into prayers and rituals, but having been through what I have come to call "the heart of darkness" and "the valley of the shadow of death" I really looked forward to the lights this year:

    Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam shecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higyanu lazman hazeh.

    Blessed are you our God, Creator of time and space, who has supported us, protected us, and brought us to this moment.
  • Goalie
    Goalie Member Posts: 184
    #5
    DrMary said:

    We celebrate Hanukkah
    We are UU's - my very tenuous link to being a Jew is a great-great grandfather who my grandmother always thought was a secret Jew. That does not stop us from celebrating Hanukkah (and Christmas and Passover and Easter and Eid el-Adha and other fun holidays - none of the fasting ones, however).

    Since it is not in my immediate religious tradition, I can interpret Hanukkah any way I want, which is this: Don't put off a celebration just because you don't have everything ready (in my world, that time never comes anyway). Don't worry whether the oil/candles/whatever will last until you can make more - light 'em up and be happy now. Ignore anyone who claims you can't party (or occupy your temple) until you are healthy (or have enough sacred oil).

    I'm not really into prayers and rituals, but having been through what I have come to call "the heart of darkness" and "the valley of the shadow of death" I really looked forward to the lights this year:

    Baruch atah adonai eloheinu melech ha'olam shecheyanu v'kiy'manu v'higyanu lazman hazeh.

    Blessed are you our God, Creator of time and space, who has supported us, protected us, and brought us to this moment.

    well, actually
    as the family historian for both sides, I wanted to correct or elaborate that, in fact, not many generations before, they were Jewish, among the first in Connecticut. But, finding the pickings mighty slim, old Mordechai married out and that was the end of this formally. But, yes, it was always believed that they never quite gave up all of the beliefs. It is important for our kids to know and celebrate their history.

    By the way, Mary and I are cousins on both my mother's and father's sides and, when not the same family, our other families have known each other for at least 400 years. Fortunately, despite marrying 17th cousins our children are only exceptional in a good way. Doug
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    #6
    I like that-
    However you embrace the universe.

    Happy Chanukkah.
  • robinleigh
    robinleigh Member Posts: 297
    #7
    sweetblood22 said:

    I like that-
    However you embrace the universe.

    Happy Chanukkah.

    Ahhh
    You guys rock!
    Dr. Mary, I love the prayer you quoted. There are so many beautiful prayers to the universe and I write many in a journal since we have been in this battle. Somehow, writing them takes it to another level for me. And there are usually huge crocodile tears falling on the page!

    Hope you all had a wonderful day,
    Robin
  • Bigfuzzydoug
    Bigfuzzydoug Member Posts: 154
    #8
    Thanks from your resident "Rebbe" here!
    Chanukkah... Hanukkah... Chanukah... However it's spelled and however people are made happy this time of year - MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY MERRY TIME WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVED ONES AND YES... even Oncologists!!!
  • DrMary
    DrMary Member Posts: 531 Member
    #9
    Bigfuzzydoug said:

    Thanks from your resident "Rebbe" here!
    Chanukkah... Hanukkah... Chanukah... However it's spelled and however people are made happy this time of year - MAY YOU ALL HAVE A HAPPY MERRY TIME WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVED ONES AND YES... even Oncologists!!!

    Actually, it's spelled. . .
    חנוכה

    (In Egypt, we spelled it هانوكا‎)

    ;-)

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