Here’s my video for the second night of Hanuka.
Every night we add one candle. May the warmth and glow of the menorah be a beacon of peace to the world!
All posts by billykaplanmusic
Eight Videos for Eight Nights of Hanuka!!! Light One Candle…
What could be better than seeing an original Hanuka video every night of Hanuka? Okay, maybe opening presents every night of Hanuka – you got me there.
Nevertheless, I’m gonna share with you an original Hanuka video every night. Some will be slick and polished, some just videotaped in my basement.
Here’s number one… ENJOY! It’s approaching 30,000 views! Think we can get it over that this Hanuka?
A Jewish Take on the Reality of Santa
Santa Claus is coming to town!
So many people believed that as children. And many of us make-believe it with our children. I didn’t believe it as a child because I celebrated a different holiday that brought light to dark winter nights – Hanuka.
So when my eldest daughter was in grade school and she asked me, “Daddy, do you believe in Santa Claus?” I wasn’t surprised she asked her Jewish parent. I imagined she didn’t want to hurt her mother’s feelings.
But I wasn’t prepared for the question. I knew I couldn’t lie to her – at her age and the earnestness with which she asked the question, I thought the lie would have been disappointing. I think she wanted me to show her respect. I think she was saying, “Daddy, please, treat me like a big kid. I’m really ready.”
So I told her what I believed: “If you’re asking me if I believe a jolly fat man comes down the chimney and brings presents, I think you already know if that is true or not. But if you’re asking me if I believe that the spirit of Santa makes great magic happen that brings many wonderful gifts, then I can say with all my heart that I believe in Santa. And those of us who understand that spirit get the joy of sharing it with others.”
Shabbat Sweet – V’Shamru
It’s a Song-A-Day Marathon Leading to the 11/7 Release Celebration, with An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer: Today’s Song: V’Shamru
Let your descendants keep Shabbat,
renewing themselves throughout the generations, as an eternal bond.
It shall be an eternal sign between me and your descendants,
for in six days God made the heavens and the earth and on the seventh day God ceased and drew a breath of rest.
(Exodus 31:16-17)
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
Shabbat Sweet – Hashkiveinu
It’s a Song-A-Day Marathon Leading to the 11/7 Release Celebration, with An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer: Today’s Song: Hashkiveinu
Let us lie down tonight in peace
And rise up again in the morning
To life.
Spread over us the shelter of your peace
And protect us
Beneath the softness of your wings.
And as we go fourth each day
Every new morning
Renew us in the warmth
Of your presence.
Spread over us the shelter of your peace.
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
Shabbat Sweet – Mi Chamocha
It’s a Song-A-Day Marathon Leading to the 11/7 Release Celebration, with An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer: Today’s Song: Mi Chamocha
Taking the first step, Moses, Miriam and the Israelites broke out in song,
Abundant in joy, in one voice they sang:
Who is like you? Who is like you, bathed in holiness,
Awesome and wondrous, radiating pure praise?
When your children saw the waters split, the path open before them they cried:
The way of God is the way of liberation – we will walk upon it forever!
And it was said:
Now you see there is a Power greater, yes far greater, than any you have ever known.
You are blessed, source of our liberation.
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
Shabbat Sweet – L’cha Dodi
It’s a Song-A-Day Marathon Leading to the 11/7 Release Celebration, with An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer: Today’s Song: L’Cha Dodi
Observe, cherish, hear the word as one,
The universe completed at this moment of union,
Your world filled with
Beauty, glory and praise.
Shabbat calls and we return
to the place of deepest beginnings.
Last in creation, but first in thought,
Our original blessing arrives once more.
In the place of holiness arise,
Leave your grief behind, join the land of the living.
You have dwelled too long in the valley of weeping
Come bask in my love and compassion.
Come in peace, crowned with joy,
Abundant in happiness, we welcome you in,
Our beloved, our friend,
Our bride.
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
Shabbat Sweet – Shalom Aleichem
An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer
Peace to you, dear friends, messengers from beyond time, beyond space, beyond knowing, source of deepest blessing.
Come in peace, bless me in peace and depart in peace, dear friends, messengers from beyond time, beyond space, beyond blessing.
Source of deepest blessing.
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
Shabbat Sweet – Candle Lighting
An Interpretive Translation of the Prayer
You are blessed.
Drawing us close to your sacred presence,
you invite us to kindle the Shabbat lights.
Join us November 7 at JRC or YouTube as Billy Kaplan & The Legendary Sweets Celebrate the release of the CD.
It’s Shabbat tonight! Here’s something to get you ready…
I love to change the world,
But rarely appreciate things as they are.
I know how to give,
But I don’t always know how to receive.
I know how to keep busy,
But I don’t often listen.
I look, but I don’t often see.
I yearn to succeed,
But I often forget what is truly important.
Teach me, G-d, to slow down. May my resting revive me.
May it lead me to wisdom, to holiness
To Peace and to You.
(Rabbi Naomi Levy)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lyE55iH7Yhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18lyE55iH7Y And remember, it’s just THREE WEEKS until we celebrate the release of the CD at the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation on November 7 at 7:30 pm. Can’t make it to Evanston? The service will be streamed live HERE.And remember, if you want to get one of the delightful CDs on November 7, you have to pre-order them HERE. CDs will not be sold the evening of the service to respect the Sabbath.
SHABBAT SWEET 
