Chanukah

My dear Friends

It is the time when the light is coming into the world with Christmas fast approaching. But the Jewish people also have a festival of light at this time - the Festival of Chanukah or Dedication. I remember it fondly from my childhood.
Around 164 BCE the Jews in Palestine were being tyrannised by the Greek kings, particularly King Antiochus. He tried to force them to force them to become pagans, eat the meat of the pig and lose their faith in the One God. The Greeks desecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and put up Greek statues.

Against this religious oppression rose up a Jew called Judah Maccabbee and a band of followers, called the Maccabees. They fought the Greeks and against all the odds, won and reclaimed the Temple and their faith in the monotheistic God of Abraham. They cleaned up the Temple, removed the statues and wanted to light the Menorah. However there was only enough oil for one day. Then God made a miracle and the oil lasted for eight days, until new oil was pressed and brought to the Temple. So, like Christmas, this is a festival of miracles and also a Festival of light. You can read the story in the Book of Maccabees in the Bible, in the part known as the Apocrypha.

There are many lovely customs associated with Chanukah. A candle is lit on the eight days of the Feast,with songs celebrating the triumph over oppression. There is interesting food-latkes-potato pancakes and also doughnuts and there is a game with a spinning top, called a 'dreidle.'

Handel the composer wrote an oratorio called Judas Maccabeus, with the famous chorus 'Hail, the conquering hero comes.'

Last night I relived my childhood and celebrated the 2nd night of Chanukah with my old friend Jane, we lit the candles and a feast of latkes and doughnuts.

Chag sameach! Happy Chanukah!
Sister Gila