Is Chanukka really over for this year?!!

It’s not so important what people think.

Most have forgotten how. They confuse their opinions with their own thoughts, which lead to actions. The prerequisite for this is an ethical foundation and knowledge. Both have been largely lost in our time.

If these are lacking, then verbal and physical violence are given free rein. This must be kept in check. In civilized societies, this is the responsibility of the state.

Our task, as Jews, is to uphold the Torah as a framework for an ethical and G-d-given life. In this, we are neither dependent on outside influences, nor is this desired.

Conclusion:

We thrive best when left in peace—and we resolutely oppose all others by „globalizing“ the light of Hanukkah, educating ourselves, being taught, learning to discuss, and continuing to practice what we have always done. We take the Torah seriously and bring all the commandments to life in our daily lives. We all learn this differently, as each of us learns at our own pace. But we know that within each of us lies a divine spark that connects us all and makes us aware of how precious our neighbor is to us. Our ever-evolving and growing unity gives us everything we need, for it is to G-d alone that we are accountable.

For me, therefore, Judaism is both an anchor and a civilizational achievement spanning millennia—even today.

Not everyone can say the same.

Chanukka, Hanukkah!!!

Amein, I will not assimilate, nor will I allow strangers to define what my Judaism should be or how it could be better. I refuse to react to all the negative influences from the outside, because whoever allies themselves with the enemy in any way will end up like them. Hanukkah is also a profoundly political festival, one that speaks equally of the protection of Hashem and the bestowal of miracles upon us—the Jewish people. It is our pride in the traditions and values of Judaism and our willingness to learn and internalize them; it is our uninfluenced, unbroken faith in the G-d of Israel that gives us, then as now, the strength, insight, trust, and energy to rejoice in them and sometimes even to stand up for them with determination.

Because it is our life and our joy!

Ich bin Josef, euer Bruder

Es ist schon eine ganze Weile her gewesen, seit ich alte Freunde am dritten Tag von Chanukka wieder getroffen habe. Es war so, dass ich alle sofort wiedererkannt habe und ein alter Freund schaute mich an, als ob er es nicht glauben könnte mich wieder zu sehen. Dann aber lächelte ich ihn an und er erkannte mich wieder – auch wenn ich jetzt einen Bart trage. Er lächelte zurück und bestärkte mich in meinem Weg mit einer Geste – ohne viel Worte zu machen. Dies war mein Lichtmoment von Chanukka 5786. Es ist so wichtig sich nicht zu vergessen und ich fühle mich immer wohl in jüdischer Gesellschaft. Es gibt einem die soziale Bindungen, die wichtig sind. Ich habe in meinem Leben durch eine sehr harte Schule gelernt alleine zu überleben, aber es ist unsere Gemeinschaft, die uns Sicherheit und den Rahmen für gemeinsames Lernen und die Gewissheit, dass es unser G-tt immer gut mit uns meint. Ich habe all denjenigen, die es in der Vergangenheit nicht gut mit mir gemeint haben, wirklich verziehen und freue mich auf unser Wiedersehen im Hier und Jetzt. Es ist so, dass ich und wir alle immer zusammen stehen, denn es ist unsere Einheit die von Hashem gewünscht wird. Wir sollten deshalb immer ein offenes Herz füreinander haben.

Chanukka, Light, Jerusalem and the Bet haMikdash

We all need more light through Hanukkah. Join us for the public lighting of the candles in your city or community!

Light is the central theme in the creation story of Hashem. It is a transformative and yet independent existence. Light is always a guide and an attribute of existence. Darkness, on the other hand, has no independent existence and is solely the absence of light. Light is therefore something very precious; for where there is light, there is no room for darkness. One could also say that light is one of the most important creations of Hashem. In Genesis 1:1-2, the creation of heaven and earth is described as a state of desolation, void, and darkness, all „on the face of the abyss.“

This prompts Hashem to act (Genesis 1:3), and God said, „Let there be light,“ and there was light.

Light is an active creative process of God. He calls the light good! (Genesis 1:4)

Only then does He establish the distinction between light and darkness. He called the light day and the darkness night.

Today is another day of Hanukkah. Like Jews and all our friends, we will light another candle and celebrate, despite all the threats of darkness in this world, so that the light may increase and we may remember Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem together.

Israel is and always will be the land closest to God; it is the land of His people and the place of Bet haMikdash.

Chag Urim Sameach!
Hanukkah Sameach!

Showing Jewish Pride and Unity

Dear friends,

We are all devastated by the horrific news from Australia. As we add light to the world, the enemies of Hashem and of humanity try to extinguish it. But terror is designed to create fear and disrupt normal life and we refuse to play along.

There’s something uniquely Jewish about us: the more we are attacked, the more we show up with pride, unity, and visible Jewish life!

We are increasing security measures for our events. At the same time, it’s clear to me that we should celebrate together as planned and even more than planned.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukka. May we hear only good news, and may Hashem protect our brothers and sisters in Australia!

Hanukkah!

See through the lights, it’s like in the years when we first came together. See through the lights, a great miracle has occurred. See through the lights, our story in the here and now, and it is true that we can only maintain our unity if we stand together. See through the lights and recognize myself in you. See through the lights and am happy in our togetherness. Even today, it is as it was before. We do not strive for power, for Hashem alone lights our way in the night—of Hanukkah. See through the lights your miracles for us all and thank you for your protection and our paths. Even today we will see each other, and I will carry your blessing with the light. It is already here, and we trust in one another. In the light of Hanukkah!

Chanukka!

Sehe durch die Lichter hindurch, es ist wie in den Jahren, als wir uns zusammenschlossen. Sehe durch die Lichter, es ist ein grosses Wunder geschehen. Sehe durch die Lichter, unsere Geschichte im hier und jetzt und es ist so, dass wir unsere Einheit nur dann behalten, wenn wir zusammenstehen. Sehe durch die Lichter und erkenne mich selbst in dir. Sehe durch die Lichter und bin glücklich im Wir. Noch heute ist es so wie früher. Wir streben nicht nach Macht, denn Hashem allein leuchtet uns den Weg in der Nacht – von Chanukka. Sehe durch die Lichter deine Wunder für uns alle und danke dir für deinen Schutz und unsere Wege. Noch heute werden wir uns sehen und ich mit dem Licht deinen Segen. Er ist schon da und wir vertrauen aufeinander. Im Licht von Chanukka!

Chanukka and us

I am prepared for Hanukkah without any particular ambitions and I remember the year 164 BCE when there was neither Christianity nor Islam. It is our duty as Jews to be friendly to Christians who are friendly to Israel. I am not talking about those who, as godless pagans, have draped themselves in a Christian cloak and are now completely discarding it, nor about godless leftists who are making common cause with Muslims to destroy this country.

I will gladly repeat myself: only a self-determined Judaism is a viable Judaism, and to all Christians of goodwill I say:

Had the Maccabees not successfully gone to war with God’s help, Judaism would have been lost forever—and thus the foundation for the emergence of Christianity. In our time, this is where the wheat is separated from the chaff. This also means that only those who adhere to Judeo-Christian values will have a future. Anyone who still believes they can live Christianity without Judaism is a demagogue spreading the biggest lie imaginable.

Therefore, I’m completely relaxed about Hanukkah and hope many friends of Judaism will celebrate with us.

Josef and Hashem

When one examines the Parashah Vayeshev, it becomes apparent that it focuses centrally on the behavior of Joseph’s brothers and initially presents the events from their perspective.

But it begins right at the start with the words, „And Jacob lived in the land of his father’s residence, the land of Canaan.“

Then Joseph is introduced, the shepherd, a son whom Jacob had in his old age and whom he loved dearly. Jacob is the one who makes him a colorful robe. As a result, the brothers felt slighted and began to hate Joseph. When Joseph begins to recount his dreams, they hate him even more.

Interestingly, these events only indirectly address the brothers‘ responsibility for their own behavior. Rather, they rebel against their father Jacob and attempt to resolve the resulting conflict by projecting their negative feelings onto Joseph. He had not chosen to be especially loved. Joseph speaks openly about his dreams, and his brothers suspect that he might be seeking special treatment from them. This isn’t the case. He’s simply different. While the brothers are constantly close, creating a strong group dynamic, it is Joseph who is sold by the Medanim to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s chief bodyguard, in Mizraim.

Of course, Joseph’s life continues, even though the circumstances are dire. In chapter 39, Joseph is freed from the hands of the Ishmaelites who had taken him there.

Now our Torah refers directly to Hashem. For it says in the second verse: „And the Lord was with Joseph, and he prospered in everything he did; and so he was in the house of his master, the Mizri.“

So Joseph’s life takes place not in Eretz Yisrael, but in Mizraim.

But read on for yourself. One sentence is particularly important to me. After Joseph was imprisoned, it says… „And the Eternal One was with Joseph and showed him mercy and showed him favor in the eyes of the jailer.“

I learn from this that God often works indirectly and positively on our lives through others who are not our friends or even our close acquaintances. And it occurs to me that everything is subject to the will of the Eternal One, even if life’s dramas initially seem to suggest otherwise. For it is God alone who directs, and it is we as individuals who contribute our abilities, believe in Him, and are accountable to Him.

Shavua Tov

Love, Neighbour and being Jew

I take seriously the repeated exhortation in our Torah to love one’s neighbor so that there is no difference between loving oneself and loving one’s neighbor. The question is not only why this is so important, but also „Who is my neighbor?“ He is a Jew!

Therefore, it is important to fill this love with life, in our interactions with one another and also in the loving acceptance we show ourselves. For only those who know and accept themselves well can truly connect with others. We all encounter many people in our lives. Some are acquaintances, some friends, and most often they are Jewish people who do us the most good. We strengthen, inspire, encourage, help, teach, and protect each other from negative influences and the hatred propagated by the media from our enemies. Therefore, nothing can replace direct contact and the courage to say, „I am your brother“ or „I am your sister.“

Let us acknowledge one another, with all the differences that are God’s will, and let us also recognize that it is up to us if we focus on what divides us. Let us rebuild the unity we desire each day and grow together.

This is my personal goal and mission, for the Torah demands it. It is God’s revelation to humankind, but it is the Jewish people alone who take it seriously.

Shalom