Holy Toast!

Newsletter March 17th, 2025 Together, we're #keepingitsacred...

There’s an Irish word used to toast as if to say "cheers!"— and that is “sláinte!” But it it is pronounced “slawn- cheh” and it means “health!”

Sound familiar? In Jewish tradition, we toast “l’chayyim!” Meaning: “to life!” 

A few times now, I have officiated weddings where the couple toasts both l’chayyim! and sláinte! because they have Jewish and Irish roots. This happens when I am officiating for an Irish Jew (see more on the Irish Jewish community HERE), or an interfaith couple where one partner is Irish. And everyone loves a good double blessing-- to life and to health! Definitely among the top things you’d want to bless the couple with- and bless anyone with, really.

Inviting everyone to toast with these words reminds us of the connection across perceived cultural boundaries, and it brings everyone together. 

That’s the kind of rabbi I am— one who invites everyone to toast in their own way, but in a way that highlights connection across perceived cultural boundaries. Leading sacred ritual this way brings everyone together. And that elevates the joy.  

Today is St. Patrick’s Day— an Irish Catholic day of drinking and merrymaking, similar to the Jewish holiday Purim (that we just celebrated Friday) which is also a day of drinking and merrymaking.

Neither of these holidays are promoted everyday throughout the entire year, but both traditions recognize that fun and joy and even some shenanigans can become a sacred experience for one day each year. If you intentionally set your heart to the meaning of the day, you can uplift the celebration. 

So, along with our l’chayyim, we can also embrace a sláinte! Other times gan bei! Or salud! Or prost! And sometimes we toast without alcohol (and substitute a different beverage of our choice) as with those who observe Islam, Christian Science, are in recovery, or who for medical or personal reasons who want to remain sober. But any which way we raise a glass, we toast in celebration of life, and of bringing everyone together. And that is a sacred value. 

So, today, any which way you do it, toast to life and to the beautiful great diversity of people everywhere. Because a little more celebration is welcome at this season. Especially when you can make it a holy toast! This is how we’re keeping it sacred. 

Together, we’re #keepingitsacred…

Rabbi Heather Miller,

Founder, Keeping It Sacred

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The above is an excerpt from a Keeping It Sacred newsletter. If you want to read the entire newsletter or any from our archives, please head over to: keepingitsacred.com/news 

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Thanks for your interest, and thanks for #keepingitsacred...