shehehiyanu

June 13, 2014
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 713: Cherishing the Gift of Life

Dear Hevreh, Today I had the privilege of traveling to Washington Heights in NYC to attend the bris of my cousin's newborn son. It's always enjoyable to be a part of a simhah and see the joyous faces of my cousin, his wife, and the new grandparents. But it was the reaction from my grandparents who were welcoming their second great grandchild into the family that really made this day special. Their happiness, their joy at being able to reach this occasion of having multiple great-grandchildren was palpable. It reinforced for me the notion that as we get older we become more appreciative of every moment we have and especially of every simhah we enjoy. Life becomes an experience to cherish as the gift that it is. So thank[...]

Category : Ari-archive
Tag : gift life mommom poppop rabbi rabbi's journal shabbat shabbat by the sea shehehiyanu שהחיינו

shehehiyanu

December 8, 2013
By bethmordecai
no comments.

DAY 526: Grateful for This Ducky Moment

Dear Hevreh, Perhaps the most significant feeling that religion tries to cultivate is the feeling of gratitude. While we cannot control everything that happens in our lives, and at times we may feel like destiny/the universe/God is out to get us, Judaism constantly reminds us to hodu ladonai ki tov, ki l'olam hasdo -- Give thanks to God for God's love endures forever. Coming off of Thanksgiving, with its religious origins, and Hanukkah, we are also reminded at this time of year how to be grateful at the miraculous nature of our lives. Indeed, gratitude is so central to our faith that we have a prayer for the simple purpose of sharing our gratitude for being alive in this moment: Barukh Atah Adonai[...]