Posted on 12/08/2004 6:13:49 AM PST by carlo3b
HAPPY HANUKKAH ". . . and May This Festival of Lights bring Blessings
upon you and All Your Loved Ones for Happiness,
for Health, and for Spiritual and Material Wealth,
and May the Lights of Chanukah Usher in the Light of Moshiach
and a Better World for All of Humankind."
The Victory over Antiochus
More than 2000 years ago, the land of Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a tyrannical Syrian king. Even today, people fight wars over their gods, despite claims to value "religious tolerance." But a couple of thousand years ago, religious tolerance didn't exist at all. Religion was as good an excuse as any to oppress a people.
That's precisely what Antiochus did to the Jews: he forbade them to observe the Sabbath or study their religious text, the Torah, and he erected a statue of Zeus in their sacred temple of Jerusalem. Many Jews followed his decrees, because they had no choice; those who resisted were executed.
In 167 B.C., the Jews -- driven to desperation -- rose up against Antiochus. Mattathias, a well-respected priest, gathered together an army and put his five sons in charge. Judah and his brothers wanted a name for their battalion that would signify force and strength; "Maccabee", meaning "hammer", fit the bill. It took three years of fighting, but eventually the Maccabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.
Naturally, the Maccabees quickly got rid of the statue of Zeus. Then they cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a candelabra that symbolized God's Divine Presence. Oddly enough, although it only held enough oil to burn for a single day, the menorah burned for eight. This was the miracle.
HANUKKAH CUSTOMS: THE MENORAH
About the Menorah
To Jews and non-Jews alike, the menorah, or Hanukkiya, is the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. It's usually a nine-branch candelabrum whose candles are lit by a "shamash" or service candle which then takes its own place at the centre of the menorah. The menorah itself is placed in a window or anywhere it can be seen by passers-by.Lighting the Menorah
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle (or oil wick) is lit on the far right side of the menorah. A candle is added, from right to left, each night, and the newest candle is always lit first. Ideally, the candles should be lit as soon as stars become visible in the night sky, but they can be lit late into the night. While the candles are being lit and the blessing given, the whole family and any guests gather to witness the ceremony; everyone is encouraged to participate. By the eighth night, with all eight candles lit, the menorah makes a spectacular sight. And as they did the previous evenings, the candles will continue to shine until they burn themselves out.The Blessing
The first blessing thanks God for the commandment to "kindle the Hanukkah lights."Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.The second blessing praises God for the miracle the candles symbolize; it's said as the candles are being lit.
Baruch Atah Adonia Elohenu Melech Ha-olam She-asa Nissim L'votenu Bayamim Ha-hem Ba-ZmanHa-zeh.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.
On the first night of Hanukkah the "shehechiyanu" blessing is included, to signify that this is the first time the Hanukkah lights have been lit this season.Hanukkah is a "Festival of Lights" to celebrate the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians, and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The holiday also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
great pic!
Merry Christmas.
It's cold and dreary here.
Good soup day!
Pray for W and Our Troops
That's precisely what Antiochus did to the Jews: he forbade them to observe the Sabbath or study their religious text, the Torah, and he erected a statue of Zeus in their sacred temple of Jerusalem. Many Jews followed his decrees, because they had no choice; those who resisted were executed.
Well, there goes the Book of Joshua!
Eeew. No wonder people are so confused about Chanukkah.
The oppression of Israel and the bans on Torah observance were the results of the initiatives of the Hellenistic majority of Jews who regarded their traditional co-religionists as backward and intolerant. At first no Jew was compelled to Hellenistic practice; "progressives" did this all on their own. In fact, Mattityahu beheaded a fellow Jew he saw engaging in heretical practice. It was only after this that, at the urging of Hellenists among the Jews, Antiochus banned Torah observance.
Chanukkah is not about religious tolerance or pluralism. It is about the victory of the True G-d and His Word over attempts to update Him by "progressives." But that doesn't fit the worldview of the Hellenistic self-appointed "leaders of the American Jewish community," so they came up with this nonsense that Chanukkah celebrates the "right" of a religious minority to assert themselves in the midst of an intolerant majority (the Greeks were very "tolerant;" it was the faithful Jews who weren't!).
I'm a Noachide in the Bible Belt. I've given up chr*stmas and accepted Chanukkah instead. It is extremely painful to read nonsense like this.
No offense is met to you, carlo, just whoever wrote all that stuff!
Despite some errors, see this article by David Klinghoffer as a corrective.
Please remove me from your ping list. Nothing personal, I'm just trying to cut down on the dozens of ping lists I seem to have been signed up for without my consent.
Happy Hanukah to all!
Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041207-8.html
For Immediate Release
December 7, 2004
Hanukkah 2004 Proclamation
I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
On the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, Jews around the world commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. During this time of darkness, the Temple had been seized, and Judaism had been outlawed. Judah Maccabee and his followers fought for three years for their freedom and successfully recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple. Jewish tradition teaches that the Maccabees found only one small bottle of oil to be used for temple rituals, but that oil lasted eight days and nights. The miracle of this enduring light, remembered through the lighting of the Menorah, continues to symbolize the triumph of faith over tyranny.
The bravery of the Maccabees has provided inspiration through the ages. We must remain steadfast and courageous as we seek to spread peace and freedom throughout the world. This holiday season, we give thanks to God, and we remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. We also pray that all who live under oppression will see their day of freedom and that the light of faith will always shine through the darkness.
Laura joins me in wishing you a blessed and Happy Hanukkah.
GEORGE W. BUSH
###
"Happy Chanukah and Shalom!" Thank you
Menachem Felzenberg, center, with Rabbis Abraham Shemtov, left and Levi Shemtov, right, light the National Chanukah Menorah, at the Ellipse, near the White House, background right, during a lighting ceremony marking the beginning of the celebration of the Chanukah, Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2004, in Washington. Felzenberg's father U.S. Army Captain Shmuel Felzenberg is currently deployed in Iraq
thank you
You're very welcome.
Wishing all my Jewish FReeper FRiends Happy Chanukah!
Belonging to a family with many different ethnic and religious traditions becomes tedious when I am required to put up lights on the outside trees as is the custom here in Texas...especially if the wind is blowing and your hands have turned to ice.
What has really annoyed me all these years are the conditions placed upon gift giving and receiving; my experience in government has it right. A gift at this time of year is a bribe and so is one from your brother-in-law who hates your guts, and just wants to be remembered in the will.
Whoops. I'm starting to sound like my father, grandfather and his father.
Seriously, Carlo, Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year to you and yours. (P.S., my wife brined the turkey for Thanksgiving and I highly recommend that anyone who likes gravy should put a raw potato in the pan to soak up the brine...otherwise the gravy can kill those of us at 160/120 on a calm day.)
A very happy Chanukah to my Jewish friends at FR. It is a pleasure to be with you!!!
I wished many a co-worker Happy Chanukkah today. I received enthusiastic responses.
Merry Christmas to YOU, too!
Stay warm!
You poor dear, how in the world do you keep up with all of the pings that I know you get.. LOL?
Have a safe and Happy Holiday .. :)
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