Happy Hanukkah

[Texsox]

There are many signs that the holy-days are beginning, and it seems to me that the start of Hanukkah always does it for me. As a Christian I am reminded of the commonality we share in the Old Testament, and that we have much more in common than differences. So let's pick up a dreidel, make some latkes, and light a menorah. Let us also remember how G-d has blessed us and led us to triumph against armies and evils.

 

Learn about the holiday. Hanukkah is about family and faith. The holiday celebrates the triumph of faith and courage over military might, the classic underdog story. The Jews were prohibited under penalty of death from studying their sacred texts or celebrating Jewish holidays. Their holy Temple had been defiled, and they were ordered to worship other gods. A small band of faithful Jews, known as the Maccabees, rose up and defeated the invaders, reclaimed the Temple, and rededicated it to G-d. The eternal flame in the Temple's great menorah (lampstand) had to be lit. But the sacred olive oil needed to burn in the lampstand took 8 days to press and purify. The Jews had only a one-day supply of oil. They decided, in faith, to light the flame anyway. And, a great miracle occurred. The Temple's great menorah continued to burn for 8 days with only a small amount of oil... the exact time it took to prepare new oil! This story is even mentioned by Josephus, the first century Jewish historian (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 12, chapter 7, sections 6 and 7). Since that time, Hanukkah has been celebrated for 8 days to recall the miracle when the menorah burned for 8 days at the Temple.

 

Peace to you my brothers and sisters. May the God of your choice bless you during this holy-day season.

[RibbieRubarb]

There are many signs that the holy-days are beginning, and it seems to me that the start of Hanukkah always does it for me. As a Christian I am reminded of the commonality we share in the Old Testament, and that we have much more in common than differences. So let's pick up a dreidel, make some latkes, and light a menorah. Let us also remember how G-d has blessed us and led us to triumph against armies and evils.

Peace to you my brothers and sisters. May the God of your choice bless you during this holy-day season.

 

I'm glad you said that. Its a belief I share as well. Our son (The Boy as well call him) asked us last year if we could celebrate Hanukkah as well. His said it's based on a miracle by God and that Jesus was Jewish and celebrated it. My son was 7 at the time. The Boy was wise beyond his years. Mind you he has asked for no extra presents. And so finding no reason to say no, we picked up a small menorah, some dreidels and honored the Miracle of Lights.

 

We are doing the same thing this year.

 

Bless you all. Tolerence=Peace...even a child knows that.