THE LIGHTS OF HANUKKAH ARE THE LIGHTS OF TOV TOO!

I always loved Hanukkah, of course as a child, but also as an adult as well. There are warm memories of the sights, smells and feelings which return each year lighting the candles and giving the little gifts to family and friends. 

Growing up, we heard the story of the "miracle" of the cruise of oil that lasted for eight days. Later, it was interesting to study and learn about the real history behind the Hanukkah story, beginning with learning that the Oil story was created by the Rabbinic Sages a few hundred years after the events. Traditions are important, but the facts of the story in historical context teach some impressive lessons.

First, the true "miracle" was that a small band of guerrilla fighters with no military training and even less weapons defeated a Syrian Greek standing army and forced them to abandon Jerusalem. They then “re-dedicated” the Temple to Yahweh. The name “Hanukkah” comes from the Hebrew word that means “to dedicate.” Tradition tells us that the first Temple (Solomon's Temple) was dedicated on the festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) which is eight days long. The Jews could not celebrate that festival at the correct time because the Greeks controlled the Temple.

Second, Hanukkah was the first war in history fought over religious freedom. What started as a civil conflict between Jews who wanted to assimilate completely into Greek culture and Jews who wanted to remain with their traditions, spilled over into international politics. The traditional Jews had the upper hand and the losing side invited the Syrian Greek King Antiochus in on their side. He outlawed the practice of Judaism, which in return led to the rebellion.

Third, many cultures and traditions light lights in ceremonies at this time of year. Why? The Darkness and cold of winter. There is a saying, "It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."

Today, there is a lot of darkness in our world -- terrible violence, hatred, bigotry and intolerance. These types of darkness seem so strong, that we seem to have lost our way. This year, help us provide a new reality and a new option to bring people, who may disagree about everything, together in TOV! The first thing to be declared TOV by the Creator was Light! Learning to live by the Creator’s TOV Standard and creating TOV Values-Based Relationships brings people together to CO-Create the solutions to the problems we face. This is what helps dispel the terrible darkness that surrounds so many and leads to Light and Life for the GOOD of all. So, don't curse the darkness, Co-Create the Light that adds to Life!

Doing TOV is Choosing Life and making it your Highest Value & Top Priority.

Learn more by visiting our website today by CLICKING HERE.

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - The Awakening of the “Sleeping Giant”

Today is National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Just before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes attacked the American naval base at Pearl Harbor near Honolulu, Hawaii. The barrage lasted just two hours, but it was devastating: The Japanese managed to destroy nearly 20 American naval vessels, including eight enormous battleships, and almost 200 airplanes. More than 2,000 Americans soldiers and sailors died in the attack, and another 1,000 were wounded. The day after the assault, President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked Congress

On December 8^th President Roosevelt said, “Yesterday the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked . . . No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory. I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.” See pictures and read the complete story at -- http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor

What Good Government Does

The Declaration of Independence makes very clear how the colonists expect to be treated as “free people” and what good government does. Good government requires pursuing the common good, cultivating and protecting the rule of law and the sovereignty of the people, encouraging material prosperity and growth, and providing access to justice, security, and peace for the citizens. (Danielle Allen, Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality, p. 247)

TOV AFFIRMATIONS

TOV AFFIRMATIONS:

 (TOV means protect life, preserve life, make life more function and increase the quality of life.)

This is the beginning of a new day.

You have been given this day to use as you will.

You can waste it or use it for TOV.

What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it.

When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.

In its place is something that you have left behind.

Let it be something TOV.

FOUR THINGS YOU CAN'T RECOVER:

The stone after the throw.

The word after it's said.

The occasion after it's missed.

The time after it's gone.

Do TOV Choose Life!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

Giving Tuesday - Donate Today

It is Giving Tuesday - CLICK HERE to Give Today.

Thanksgiving is Everyday

I had just finished officiating a wedding for two of my former students and their families, both of whom I know for many years. It's always such a pleasure for me personally to share in such “Simchas" (joyous occasions) with the families and especially with the children who grew up with me as their rabbi. 

Afterwards, at the reception, the discussion at the table focused on "catching up" with a number of people from my former congregation, whom I had not seen in years. People told me I looked good and that I seemed much happier. Yes, for me, learning to be happier is a work in process. One person wanted to know just how I managed that! I responded that I found much wisdom in the old saying, "Count your blessings." I make a concerted effort to become aware of my blessings, especially the ones that happen daily. Even if one has no Higher Power, he or she can still be aware of and thankful for their "blessings", or however they refer to such things.

I added that, we come from a tradition which recognizes at least 100 blessings a day. Not because the Creator needs our blessings, but to make us aware that those things are gifts that are given daily. Learning to be GRATEFUL, THANKFUL AND APPRECIATIVE is part of the process of learning to be happier.

The "GIVING" part of Thanksgiving is directly tied to TOV! (words, thoughts and actions which Protect Life, Preserve Life, Make Life More Functional and Increase the Quality of Life) Making sure the most vulnerable people and animals have food, clothing, shelter, A CHANCE, is not one day a year!  It is EVERY DAY! Please, enjoy your families, enjoy your food, enjoy your company, enjoy the warmth, and enjoy the season!

"THANKS" + "GIVING" = TOV!

Doing and teaching TOV and Choosing Life helps me to be happier. I'm enjoying my children, my work, my home and my life, right now, not someday! Thanksgiving is Every Day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

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BAR+BAT MITZVAH IS NOT A DAY…2.0

I recently started working with a new student towards a Bar Mitzvah ceremony and experience suitable to his needs. I was sitting there with his parents discussing which service we would use and the requirements. I was teaching about what the concept of being a Bar Mitzvah means and his father suddenly said with a gleam in his eye, "I just had a wonderful idea! I was never offered the chance to become Bar Mitzvah. I would love the opportunity to study with my son and share this experience!"

The son thought it was a great idea. I told his dad, by studying, he will fulfill one of the most important "mitzvahs" there is, to "Teach these instructions to your children." How can a parent teach their children values and lessons which they themselves don't know? Why sit in the Bliss of Ignorance, when one can benefit from learning and practicing the Wisdom of the Ages? This knowledge opens up whole worlds and provides guidance and a values system that helps create a different reality for the common good!

Lately, I've been encountering more and more people who want "More" out of life. They are searching for meaning and purpose beyond their daily routine. In Jewish tradition, there is the concept of a person who doesn't even know enough to ask a question. If one is honestly searching for meaning, especially in a Spiritual Sense, they should at least be literate. What does the ancient wisdom tell us, what lessons do the stories teach? How does this apply to my life and my choices?

Both father and son in this case chose to learn about the idea of TOV from Genesis 1. They felt it was the beginning of a new "creation" for them both.

Do TOV Choose Life!

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor

If find my blogs valuable, please share them with others and go to our TOV Center Facebook Page and “Like It” -- click here.

Your financial support is greatly appreciated. Click Here to contribute.