Dear all,
Whenever we come to a new opportunity in Judaism, we offer the Shehechiyanu, a blessing of thanksgiving.
We offer this for personal achievements (birthdays, anniversaries, dedicating a new home).
We also offer this for Jewish Holy Days and Festivals. Traditionally, we only recite this blessing on the first night of these observances. So for Chanukkah, while there are typically two blessings at the time of candle lighting, there is also the third, the Shehechiyanu, on the first night.
This year, my mom wasn’t surrounded by all her children and grandchildren until the last night of Chanukkah. “Zachary” she asked, “Even though it’s the last night, can we offer the Shehechiyanu?“
While I’’m certain that Rabbis Hillel and Akiba might have spent pages arguing about this in the Talmud, our family just erupted into a loud singing of the blessing.
You see – there are times when personal circumstances outweigh traditional paradigms. And this moment in time was one of them,
So yes! Offer the blessing and observe the Festival at their set time. And also be receptive to harnessing light whenever and wherever you can!
(And – most important, I know enough not to say “NO” to my mother!)
With love and shalom,
Rabbi Zach Shapiro
