Thank you, Jeff, this was a fascinating walk through history, which I loved.
Along with that, your reflections on writing and your connection to it was deeply impactful. Your words will always have power, regardless of how they’re expressed.
Alas, the history of violence, intolerance, and religion have been inextricably linked from time immemorial. And so I have to add one more element to the story of Chanukah that you related, Jeff. As I understand it, the incident that triggered the war between the Maccabees and the Romans was that a member of the Maccabee clan killed a secular Jew because he was bowing to a Roman statue, something the Maccabees considered sacrilegious. It was this that caused the Roman authorities to move for Maccabee’s arrest at which point the family and their supporters fled to the hills and fought the Romans. I say this as a reminder —to myself as much as anyone else— that history is complicated and so often disappointing but what gives me hope is ability we have eventually to transform and transcend the horrific events that give rise to these holidays into celebrations of religious freedom, peace, light, and thanksgiving. And, of course, latkes.
The Latin _invoce_ means TO INVOKE: To give voice to.
Invocations all:
"Last night, a friend and I were talking about the physical act of writing down words. which has a strange, therapeutic power. When a word emerges onto a page, typed or written, it has a physical presence, and carries the energy of the instrument that produced it — whether a keyboard, a quill or even a spray can. It’s a quality that dictated words don’t share. Yes, spoken words can be powerful, but they engage the brain in a different way. Removed from the physical act of writing, I feel somewhat removed from the creative aspect as well – as if the actual performance of writing unleashes a creative power that’s lost when speaking."
Thank you for your invocations lo these many decades.
Oh what a complicated time to be a Jew! (Have there ever been uncomplicated times?)
But thank you for this, for lighting your candles, both literally and metaphorically, and letting the light of your life shine so bright for the rest of us. I cherish each of your postings.
Yes, of course, I just became aware of that terrible event this morning. I have no words, but am in total agreeement with yours. With an added concern: Dare I display my own candles in my widow tonight, and these coming eight nights?
Thanks as always, Jeff. Your post resonated with me on a practical level as well as a creative one. After a serious cycling crash four years ago, I lost the use of my left hand for six months and had to dictate material to keep writing. It changed not just the mechanics but the rhythm and style of my writing in ways I didn’t expect. I’m curious whether you’ve experimented with dictation at all, and if so how it’s shaped your process.
Thank you, Jeff, this was a fascinating walk through history, which I loved.
Along with that, your reflections on writing and your connection to it was deeply impactful. Your words will always have power, regardless of how they’re expressed.
Thank you, Laurel, for this beautiful thought. I hope you are right....
Alas, the history of violence, intolerance, and religion have been inextricably linked from time immemorial. And so I have to add one more element to the story of Chanukah that you related, Jeff. As I understand it, the incident that triggered the war between the Maccabees and the Romans was that a member of the Maccabee clan killed a secular Jew because he was bowing to a Roman statue, something the Maccabees considered sacrilegious. It was this that caused the Roman authorities to move for Maccabee’s arrest at which point the family and their supporters fled to the hills and fought the Romans. I say this as a reminder —to myself as much as anyone else— that history is complicated and so often disappointing but what gives me hope is ability we have eventually to transform and transcend the horrific events that give rise to these holidays into celebrations of religious freedom, peace, light, and thanksgiving. And, of course, latkes.
Thank you for this, Dear Amy... Sigh.
Thanks for sharing your holidays with us, Jeff. Here's to a Hanukkah miracle!
Love this perspective! Such an insightful breakdown. I always suspected Hanukkah's modern celebrations had a different historical footing.
The Latin _invoce_ means TO INVOKE: To give voice to.
Invocations all:
"Last night, a friend and I were talking about the physical act of writing down words. which has a strange, therapeutic power. When a word emerges onto a page, typed or written, it has a physical presence, and carries the energy of the instrument that produced it — whether a keyboard, a quill or even a spray can. It’s a quality that dictated words don’t share. Yes, spoken words can be powerful, but they engage the brain in a different way. Removed from the physical act of writing, I feel somewhat removed from the creative aspect as well – as if the actual performance of writing unleashes a creative power that’s lost when speaking."
Thank you for your invocations lo these many decades.
Oh what a complicated time to be a Jew! (Have there ever been uncomplicated times?)
But thank you for this, for lighting your candles, both literally and metaphorically, and letting the light of your life shine so bright for the rest of us. I cherish each of your postings.
Jeff-ji, I’m sure you wrote this piece prior to the Australian tragedy on Bondi Beach.
“Dance the Horah, light the Menorah
This is the time of joy”
That’s what the Jews gathered on Bondi Beach were celebrating.
How many more times must gun violence take innocent lives? And how much longer must innocent Jews suffer hatred?
Yes, of course, I just became aware of that terrible event this morning. I have no words, but am in total agreeement with yours. With an added concern: Dare I display my own candles in my widow tonight, and these coming eight nights?
Love the eclectic Sedona altar, same glow in the restaurant, hope in penned words and however you imbue truth. ✨
Thanks as always, Jeff. Your post resonated with me on a practical level as well as a creative one. After a serious cycling crash four years ago, I lost the use of my left hand for six months and had to dictate material to keep writing. It changed not just the mechanics but the rhythm and style of my writing in ways I didn’t expect. I’m curious whether you’ve experimented with dictation at all, and if so how it’s shaped your process.