Breaking Up With Tradition

One of my daily morning activities used to be to listen to the news as I readied for the day. I would check on breaking news and the weather. What had happened in the night would often set the tone for my day. I must admit I stopped that some time early in 2020. The news was too depressing for me. So, I started tuning in to some comedy or another as my background noise. Most of the programs are so silly you don’t even need to watch the screen. Thank goodness for that.

The news here in America is worse IMHO than the rest of the world because we not only face the horrors of Covid, but also the insanity of a narcissist leader. (I only used one word, not the 20 or so I could have.)

All this brings me to why I am breaking up with tradition. When growing up, I was taught that you never light the menorah candles at any time other than Hanukkah. As most people know, I was not raised with any formal Judaic education. This was always a no-no that I held to be my truth. Last Hanukkah, in December, the menorah lights gave me a tremendous amount of comfort. Each night I felt that I was connected to my people who lived to experience a miracle. The glowing candles meant survival and continuation of my ancestors. For me, they stand for hope when it seems there is none to be had.

I do my best to not be a victim of the news. I watch little or none daily. I read some articles that don’t tear me apart to stay informed. It occurred to me that I wanted to feel hope. I wanted to know G-d was overseeing the world. So, on that note, I broke up with my tradition. For the first time in my life I broke a tradition I had always followed. I have been lighting my menorah almost every night. It gives me strength and hope for a better tomorrow. As the candles lower, my body calms, and I feel some peace.