The holiday of Chanukah celebrates a miracle in ancient times, when oil sufficient only for one night burned for eight, and allowed the re-consecration of the Temple to be completed. This ritual was vital to the survival of the religion of Judaism.
What would a miracle allow modern society to accomplish?
Today is the first day of Chanukah, when Jewish people all around the world will begin lighting their chanukiahs (special menorahs for this holiday) at sunset. Families will gather around menorahs set in windows for this ancient ritual that lasts eight nights.
How have you gathered to honor the past?
When I was little, I remember learning about the practice of la siesta in Spain and I was astonished. Even as a kid, I wondered how many adults actually took their mid afternoon break and if they were as happy about their break time as I was about recess at school.
-Lecretia Williams (CLF)
How would our institutions be changed if we centered rest?
“Stillness is our primal becoming: how we
live up to ourselves. Makes the most; shapes action.
A beating heart rests every chance it gets.”
-Atena Danner, from her poem “Divine Right to Rest,” in Incantations for Rest
Find some time to be still today.
Rest is many things, only some of them “logical.” As someone who lived mostly in my head for much of my life, I had a hard time grasping the rationale of rest; there was always so much to do, and life was so short! I wanted to pack all I could into every moment. Rest seemed wasteful to me.
Then my bodymind made me slow down. First, trauma made itself known, and said, “You must deal with me.” My heart hurt, my mind was sluggish, and my whole being demanded rest. I craved quiet and outside time. I learned to listen to the birds and bugs again, like I had when I was little. Then, disability emerged from my genetic makeup. Bed and chair and pillow became my best friends. Tea time in the backyard replaced endless errands. Left with no alternative, I let go of what was unnecessary – and what was left was the joy of rest.
-Steven Leigh Williams (CLF)
Listen to your body today and give it healing rest.
