The Mitzvah is a candle and the Torah is light. The word Hanukka can be divided into two words חנו , כ”ה The miracle of the light appeared on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. The word light is the 25th word of the Torah. The Greeks sought to eliminate Torah, and made three specific decrees against Brit Milah, Shabbat, and Rosh Chodesh. Hanukka is at the end of the month of Kislev so that it can contain a Shabbat and a Rosh Chodesh [Ed. and the eight days is also a reference to Brit Milah.] And much much more.
https://i1.wp.com/rabbiyonah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/ben-ish-chai-v2.jpg?fit=182%2C258258182rabbiyonahhttp://rabbiyonah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cropped-RabbiYonahbookCover11.jpgrabbiyonah2013-11-21 15:50:262013-11-21 15:50:26Ben Ish Chai: The Miraculous Light of Hanukka
Having conquered coffee, Starbucks is now moving into tea. The coffee giant’s newest venture, Teavana, launched with a tea bar on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz says he doesn’t expect the new venture to be as big as the coffeehouse chain (“tea lacks the major caffeine count,” he explains). But he is hoping to draw in kashrut-keeping consumers.
“It will be [kosher]. It hasn’t been certified,” Schultz told Forbes. “No rabbi has come in to bless it yet!”
It looks like Schultz, who is Jewish, has fallen prey to the common misconception that kosher status is conveyed via a blessing. But if Teavana is to succeed by peddling its drinks at $4.95 a cup, it will need the blessing of luxury tea fans.
This very active Jewish leader has no idea what it means to be kosher. He awaits a “rabbi to bless” his tea. I mean I will be happy to bless his tea, but it won’t move the kosher needle. There is however already a good Jewish song for tea: “David melech Yisrael, chai chai v’kayam…”
Many know that I am a Detroit baseball fanatic and was crushed at our loss this season to the Red Sox in the American League Championships. But all the mourning and soul-searching has come to an abrupt end on the news that former Detroit Tiger Brad Ausmus — and most importantly former coach of Team Israel — will be the new Tiger’s manager.
This was a very bold move. “I was taken back with how impressive he was,” Dombrowski said. “Every time Brad’s name came up, it was effusive with praise.”
Of course how Ausmus will work out with the most accomplished team in the MLB remains to be seen. The fact that he is Jewish doesn’t really impact that much on the team. We all hope that he has an ability to motivate a team that has had its spirits crushed by two post-season meltdowns. He will have to be part motivational speaker, part sports psychologist, part manager, and part Detroiter. Not an easy gig.
His Jewishness may indeed play a factor on the season. Look to see matzah this Passover at Comerica Park. And what number has Ausmus chosen to wear? #7, in honor of Shabbos I am sure.
JConnect and Jewlicious annually celebrate and honor those people in the LA community that stand for Jewish Unity. Past honorees include Mayim Bialik, Barak Raviv, and David Suissa. This year’s honorees are very special people, Jaime and Yosef Esshaghian and Sabrina Merage, who have made it their duty to bring together our community and make it stronger in the process. Our honorees exemplify this value in all they do.
In addition to being a good cause, raising funds to support programs such as Jewlicious Festival, JConnectLA and Shabbat Tent, the NOU is also the most ELEGANT. PARTY. CELEBRATION of UNITY in LA. The NOU Gala features gourmet food, games, world-class entertainment, auction, dancing and more. This elegant evening brings together all segments of the Jewish community.
Please save the date and plan on attending the NOY which supports the largest grassroots network in the country devoted to engaging young adult participation in Jewish life through music, festivals, holiday celebrations and social gatherings.
Would you like to thank one of the honorees or the organization for their hard work? Or advertise your business at the Night of Unity? email nightofunity @ gmail.com
https://i2.wp.com/rabbiyonah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/nou13fbbanner.jpg?fit=920%2C342342920rabbiyonahhttp://rabbiyonah.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/cropped-RabbiYonahbookCover11.jpgrabbiyonah2013-10-08 04:53:362014-01-14 17:37:412013 Night of Unity Nov. 10 Honors Jaime and Yosef Esshaghian, Sabrina Merage
