Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Peter Robinson has asked Judith and Claire to include Hannukah thoughts as the predominantly Christian Holiday Season comes upon us. I thought I'd toss my two cents in as well, being a Jew myself.
As Claire has mentioned, Hannukah isn't traditionally a big holiday. In fact it's a minor festival. Everyone thinks its emergence is only commercial in nature. That's only partly true. Once you've spent a sad little American Christmas day as a Jewish kid in the 60s with Reform Jewish parents not tied to temple or tradition, all businesses closed, all gentile friends occupied in family festivities, you understand the reverence my generation has doled on the little Mennorah that could. So many other Jewish friends went the other way, abandoning the religion entirely except as a cultural identity. To me the saddest path.
I'm married to a Catholic, so to honor his heritage, we have kept the Christmas tradition. (As in, I do a killer tree.) But my daughter, who attended Jewish religious school and was bat mitzvah'd, gets equally excited about lighting our candles and eating latkes. And since we have created a strong "family" of Jewish friends, our Hannukah get-togethers are joyous, boisterous and without family dysfunction. How great is that?!
So that's my Hannukah story. And here's my gift to you. You've all heard it before. But when you listen this time, remember this was written by a little Jewish kid who felt isolated and worse, bored, on Christmas and its his gift to the rest of us who felt the same. (Please note, this is filmed off a television, but it is the debut of this song, and the clearest lyrics.)
Chag Chanuka Sameach!
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May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Caryn, the Aish link seems to work fine.
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Okay, now I know you're not Jewish. We LOVE matzoh. Especially slathered in butter and salt. (Of course you can't do that if you are kosher and have meat in the meal.) Matzoh brei is amazing. Soak broken up matzoh in water for a few minutes and then drain well. Add to beaten eggs and fry up with lots of butter and salt. Traditionally you can throw in lox. My mom used to fry onions really crisp and toss those in.
Here's the recipe my brother made up when he was a teen: Put two boards of matzoh on a buttered cookie sheet. Soak with water until soggy, but not falling apart. Drain well. put chunks of butter all over the matzoh and put under the broiler. Watch closely. When edges are hard and crispy the middle will be gooey and stretchy and yummy. Fantastic.
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Also, no, there is no rule other than kosher ones, which is not your issue. In fact during seder we dip matzoh into a combination of apples, nuts and sweet wine, among other variations. Cream cheese is good. Butter and salt is still the best...but I love spreading avocados on them.
Okay, it's official, I've now written more on this site about food than politics. I guess you see where my true passion lies.
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
I think it's a miracle that the 100 watt light bulb has been saved. A small miracle happened in Washington: נס קטן קרה בוושינגטון
Jun '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Pardon my ignorance, but does Judaism have a tradition of liturgical music analogous to hymns or Gregorian chant? Is there any traditional religious music associated with Hannukah that would be sung in a synagogue?
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
See my entry at #17 for sufganiyot.
Seems like I keep correcting your recipes, but I never soak matza in water before making matza brei. Just straight into egg with a little milk (like french toast, but broken in pieces) and then cook in butter. I grew up eating it with grape jelly, but maple syrup is also nice; your savory options sound tasty, too.
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Here is a traditional Hanukkah song, "Maoz tzur," loosely translated "Rock of Ages."
The liturgical music traditions and customs vary widely among Jewish organizations. There is, of course, the tradition of a cantor with a beautiful voice leading prayer and a good bit of prayer is chanted either by the prayer leader or full congregation. In the Orthodox world, most of the good music is among the Chassidum. An organization like Chabad might be a good source for information on their liturgical music. Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach was big back in the '70's on music for uplift and fellowship. There is also singing around the Shabbos (sabbath) table and at happy events. Aish.com is a good place to find such things. But, please, if you're a Christian, don't use their open comment opportunities to try to convert Jews to Jesus. It is incredibly offensive and obnoxious.
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Haroset is the Jewish meal I look forward to around Passover. Apples, pecans, cinnamon, raisins and wine. Yum!
Oct '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
In my men's bible study group we've just completed a months-long study of Daniel and a couple of weeks ago I learned about the origin of Hannukah as we read through chapter 11. Daniel had prophesied that the daily sacrifice would be removed from the Temple and on December 25, 168 B.C. that is exactly what happened when Antiochus IV defiled the Temple. Then came the Maccabaean revolt and the re-dedication of Temple exactly three years later, to the day.
This was the first time I've heard about the origin of the holiday so I found it very interesting.
Oct '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Caryn: @ParisParamus
With all due respect to Aaron Miller, above, while Judaism is not "not Christian," the concept of Christian being "Judaism fulfilled" is rather offensive to those who practice Judaism and believe that it is quite complete without re-writes.
I wish ‘offended’ weren’t the reaction this Christian statement provoked. Perhaps it could be stated in a less seemingly polemical way: The Christian savior is a devout Jew. To be Christian is to affirm Jews as God’s chosen people. I think it is also to affirm the Jewish right to a homeland in its Biblically ordained location—aka Israel.
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Daniel had prophesied that the daily sacrifice would be removed from the Temple and on December 25, 168 B.C. that is exactly what happened when Antiochus IV defiled the Temple.
Just how could there have been a December 25 in 168 BCE?
Edited on Dec 18, 2011 at 7:30pmJun '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
bereket kelile: In my men's bible study group we've just completed a months-long study of Daniel and a couple of weeks ago I learned about the origin of Hannukah as we read through chapter 11. Daniel had prophesied that the daily sacrifice would be removed from the Temple and on December 25, 168 B.C. that is exactly what happened when Antiochus IV defiled the Temple. Then came the Maccabaean revolt and the re-dedication of Temple exactly three years later, to the day.
This was the first time I've heard about the origin of the holiday so I found it very interesting. · Dec 18 at 7:05pm
You can read about the revolt and the origin of the holiday in the First and Second Books of Maccabees. They may be in the apocrypha section depending which Bible you read, but Catholics consider them canonical.
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
ParisParamus: Daniel had prophesied that the daily sacrifice would be removed from the Temple and on December 25, 168 B.C. that is exactly what happened when Antiochus IV defiled the Temple.
Just how could there have been a December 25 in 168 BCE? · Dec 18 at 7:29pm
Edited on Dec 18 at 07:30 pm
Because it was the 25th of Kislev and someone is either ignorant or stretching?
May '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
HVTs
Caryn:
I wish ‘offended’ weren’t the reaction this Christian statement provoked. Perhaps it could be stated in a less seemingly polemical way: The Christian savior is a devout Jew. To be Christian is to affirm Jews as God’s chosen people. I think it is also to affirm the Jewish right to a homeland in its Biblically ordained location—aka Israel. · Dec 18 at 7:29pm
Is it possible to say that something is "offensive" without suggesting that the speaker is "offended?" Semantics? Anyhow, Jews and Christians disagree on a fundamental and, for the Christians at least, foundational point. That's not going to change. Best to stick to those things where we agree! Since that covers pretty much all of western ethics, the 7-day week, and God the Father, we've got a lot to work with.
Jun '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Caryn
ParisParamus: Daniel had prophesied that the daily sacrifice would be removed from the Temple and on December 25, 168 B.C. that is exactly what happened when Antiochus IV defiled the Temple.
Just how could there have been a December 25 in 168 BCE? · Dec 18 at 7:29pm
Because it was the 25th of Kislev and someone is either ignorant or stretching? · Dec 18 at 8:12pm
Legend has it that Romulus invented the Roman calendar around 753 BC, in any case it had been in use for centuries by 168 BC, so there definately was a December 25 168 observed in Rome. But neither the Maccabees nor the Greeks would have been using that calendar.
Mar '11
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Personally, I prefer a fresh hot jelly sufgania over latkes any day.
I'm not sure that I agree with the argument made in the comments that Hanuka is such an insignificant holiday. Sure, it's less important than Passover, but still - the re-dedication of the Temple after its destruction by the Greeks was a VERY big deal, and it was the real miracle of Hanuka (as opposed to the side story of the last bit of holy oil lasting 8 days). Not just any contemporary (as it then was) event was so big as to make it into the Jewish calendar. The Hanuka events were akin to the founding of the State of Israel, the last contemporary event to become a religious holiday.
Another interesting thing is its length of 8 days. This is because it was effectively a second "Sukkot" (about two months earlier in the year), which like Passover was a traditional annual pilgrimage (hence 8 days), when people went up to the temple in Jerusalem to make sacrifices. This was denied to the people during Sukkot, when the temple was destroyed, so Hanuka was their second chance.
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
Heshmon:
I'm not sure that I agree with the argument made in the comments that Hanuka is such an insignificant holiday.
Dec 19 at 1:32am
"Insignificant" is not a word I would apply to Hannukah. Especially with its historic significance. I was just taught that it wasn't a "holiday" but a "festival" sort of putting it one rung down. Of course we can go round and round on this.
There is a saying, "Put two Jews in a room and get three opinions." It can be used offensively, but it is also a tribute to the nature of our analytical Talmudic heritage. Also it's the nature of Judaism and the many different ways it is practiced. (Reformed, Conservative, Reconstructionist, etc.) I'm just grateful to be take part in public discussions with such erudite contributors, Jews and Christians. Happy Hannukah!
Edited on Dec 19, 2011 at 9:43amMay '10
Re: Some Hannukah Thoughts for Peter Robinson
I think the description of Chanukah being a "lesser" holiday is a response both to it seeming like a Christmas surrogate for liberal/diluted/secular Jews; and because, if you don't celebrate, or even know about. the "greater" holidays, what are you doing caring so much about Chanukah?
Edited on Dec 19, 2011 at 9:01pm