SNOW DAY!

Dictionary.com defines miracle as: "an effect or extraordinary event in the physical world that surpasses all known human or natural powers and is ascribed to a supernatural cause."

Maybe we can call our recent extraordinary weather a miracle. All I know is, I have never lost my childhood love for and wonder at snow. I still can't resist going out and playing in it, making snowballs, snow seraphim and generally acting silly.

I hope you are enjoying the snow, too, despite some inconveniences it brings. Let's view it as a reminder that we are about to celebrate Chanukah, which commemorates another miracle.

In the Talmud, the rabbis ask "What is Chanukah?" and then recount the tale of the military victory of the Hasmoneans over the Greeks which resulted in the reclamation of the Temple. The Hasmoneans (of which the Maccabees were part) cleaned out and rededicated the Temple. Chanukah means dedication. Because the Temple had been under the control of the Greeks, the Jews did not have a chance to celebrate Sukkot that year. So they choose to celebrate the rededication of the Temple for eight days because Sukkot is eight days long. The miracle comes when there is only enough oil to light the Menorah for one night. Miraculously, the Talmud tells us, the oil burned for eight nights.

So don't forget to get your Chanukkiah out, get the candles, queue up Adam Sandler and start lighting on Sunday night, December 21st. For more information, visit the Temple website, or call us! Happy Chanukah.