The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication” because we recall the miraculous rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. (Read the full Hanukkah story here.)
As our friends at Custom & Craft remind us, “Just as the Maccabees rededicated the Temple looked through the rubble, and miraculously found the ingredients for light, we can use this holiday to look through our own rubble and find our own sources of light.”
One way to comb through the rubble? Journaling.
Writing can be a powerful tool for mindfulness. It can help decrease stress, increase self-awareness, joy, and positivity — and even be a form of meditation.
Journal prompts
Each day of Hanukkah, our editor Sara Himeles, who recently graduated from rabbinical school, is sharing a teaching and reflection prompt focusing on different themes of the Hanukkah story. If you’re looking for mindfulness this Hanukkah, these prompts are the perfect place to start.
You can journal your response or simply reflect on each prompt. The idea is to make your Hanukkah brighter and more meaningful.
Day 1: Add light this Hanukkah
Day 2: “Not by Might”
Day 3: Gratitude for miracles
Day 4: Publicizing the miracle
Day 5: Rededicate to your goals
Day 6: Appreciate forgotten heroes
Day 7: Spread light like a shamash candle
Hanukkah meditation exercise
Custom & Craft has also created a Hanukkah writing meditation created to help pause and reflect on the themes of light, dedication and miracles.
“Consider these eight questions and the time you’re taking to write your answers a gift to yourself,” they encourage.
You can download the full writing exercise from their website!
Try any of these prompts? Let us know on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok!
