Rabbi Howard Morrison

Dear Congregational Family,

This Thursday evening, we begin to kindle the Chanukah lights. Each night, the lights represent different facets of the miracles associated with Chanukah.

Before and after Shabbat, we kindle lights to distinguish Shabbat from the rest of the week.

Mourners light a shiva candle to remember the eternity of the human soul. A similar purpose occurs when we light yizkor and yahrzeit candles.

Since much of Jewish life has now gone virtual, it has become customary for me to lead an on line pre-Kabbalat Shabbat service and for Rabbi Grundland to lead an on line havdalah service. Sadly, Rabbi Grundland and his family are sitting Shiva after the passing of Gidon Grundland, of blessed memory.

As a result, I filled in to lead the community havdalah Saturday night. Normally, my private havdalah lasts a few minutes without incident. When I lit the havdalah candle for the online ceremony, little did I know my smoke detector was right above me. Once the candle was lit for more than a few minutes, the participants heard a strange kind of music in the background. In any event, I have now configured the place to lead havdalah the next time around.

Our Torah is often called Torah Orah - A Torah of light, since our heritage illuminates our lives. On this past Saturday night, I truly learned a lesson about light 

Sincerely,

Rabbi Howard Morrison