HAPPY HANUKKAH (Chanukah)

CookingWithCarlo.com ^ | Dec. 18, 2003 | Carlo3b Dad, Chef, Author

[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.

[Nachum]

We are trying your stuffed peppers tonight!-

Since my wife and I are on Atkins, we are deleting the rice and substituting spenda for the sugar.

Thanks!

[carlo3b]

HAPPY HANUKKAH FROM A HASIDDIC FREEPER

Welcome, backatcha from an Acidic Chef.. LOL (sorry, it was too easy, and I have no shame).. A wonderful and holy Holiday my dear Hasiddic FRiend. Shalom aleichem.

[.38sw]

Thank you so much, Carlo. This will do nicely. I did a search on Epicurious and came up with a red currant sauce recipe, which I saved for future reference.

Question: Can I freeze a ham? I had thought that it was just going to be my husband and me for Christmas dinner, since he's on call that week, and we can't really go anywhere. His sister, who lives 90 miles away, called to invite us to her house with the rest of his family, and we can't go. So, it was decided to have Christmas at our house! I had already purchased a mini Bellmill sirloin tip ham for us to have, now I'll have to go out and buy a much larger ham. And, I'll have to clean the house now. :)

[carlo3b]

Since my wife and I are on Atkins, we are deleting the rice and substituting spenda for the sugar.

Should work, and if you were really feeling dangerous, shred Radishes in place of the rice, it will add character to the dish.. YIKES!

[.38sw]

Mmmmm. The stuff peppers sound great. I'll have to make them soon. Tonight, maybe.

[Momaw Nadon]

The Hanukkah Song

by Adam Sandler


Intro: This is a song, that uh, there's a lot of Christmas songs out there, but not
too many about Hanukkah, so I wrote a song for all those nice little Jewish
kids who dont get to hear any Hanukkah songs--here we go...

Put on your yarmulke, here comes Hanukkah
It's so much fun-akkah to celebrate Hanukkah,

Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights,
Instead of one day of presents, we have eight crazy nights.

When you feel like the only kid in town without a Christmas tree, Here's a list of
people who are Jewish, just like you and me:

David Lee Roth lights the Menorah,
So do James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and the late Dinah Shore-ah

Guess who eats together at the Karnickey Deli,
Bowzer from Sha-na-na, and Arthur Fonzerrelli.

Paul Newman's half Jewish; Goldie Hawn's half too,
Put them together--what a fine lookin’ Jew!

You dont need Deck the Halls or Jingle Bell Rock
Cause you can spin the Dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!

Put on your yarmulke, it's time for Hanukkah,
The owner of the Seattle Super Sonic-ahs celebrates Hanukkah.

O.J. Simpson-- NOT A JEW!


But guess who is...Hall of Famer—Rod Carew--(he converted!)

We got Ann Landers and her sister Dear Abby,
Harrison Fords a quarter Jewish--not too shabby!

Some people think that Ebeneezer Scrooge is,
Well, he's not, but guess who is: All three stooges!

So many Jews are in show biz--
Tom Cruise isn't, but I heard his agent is.

Tell your friend Veronica, its time you celebrate Hanukkah
I hope I get a harmonica, on this lovely, lovely Hanukkah.

So drink your gin-and-tonic-ah, and smoke your mara-juanic-ah,
If you really, really wanna-kah, Have a happy, happy, happy, happy
Hanukkah……. HAPPY HANUKKA!

[carlo3b]

TOO FUNNY... Bwhahahhahahahahha

[carlo3b]

Paul Newman's half Jewish; Goldie Hawn's half too, Put them together--what a fine lookin’ Jew!
You dont need Deck the Halls or Jingle Bell Rock Cause you can spin the Dreidel with Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock--both Jewish!
Put on your yarmulke, it's time for Hanukkah, The owner of the Seattle Super Sonic-ahs celebrates Hanukkah....

Outstanding, What a catchy toon, uplifting, spiritual, and yet so informative.. I found myself hummmming it as I cooked dinner.. Beats the heck out of Jingle Bells ... Bwhahahahhaahahahahah

[Lijahsbubbe]

Happy Chanukah to you!

[carlo3b]

Can I freeze a ham?

Yes indeed you can, but it really depends on what type of ham it is, and the packaging it's in. I am assuming this is a precooked ham. If not, that changes things, cook it first. If it is vacuum sealed you can refrigerate for almost 3 weeks in the fridge. Not so if you have opened it, then I would buy a small second one and serve 2 different recipes. Freezing is a second option.

[dennisw]

Thanks and may Israel, with G_d's help, repel the Jihadists who would destroy Israel

[rintense]

Happy HANUKKAH to all our Jewish freepers!

[fortunecookie]

HAPPY HANUKKAH to all our Jewish freeper friends!!

As an aside, I am of Eastern Euro & Russian descent (4 immigrant grandparents) and many of these recipes are similar to one's I make and remember and a couple - the Babka & the jelly doughnuts - are foods from my childhood that I have no authentic recipe for. They sound delicious and remind me of my childhood & Baba and I can't wait to try them!! Thanks!!

[bruin66]

A salad spinner does a great job of removing all the water from the potatoes. Cheers!

[xp38]

Jesus is mentioned celebrating two holidays in the gospels. Passover and Hanukkah.

[ladyesk]

Carlo
I just discovered after all these years of being one of the "Latke Queens" at my synagogue that YOU DON'T HAVE TO PEEL THE POTATOES! I hate peeling potatoes! And the latkes don't taste any different.

[tubebender]

My wife does a Choice Boneless Rib Roast for Christmas. She orders a whole roast from a local wholesaler and they season it with a dry rub and seal it in Cryovac. What can you tell us about aging beef and its effect on the meat and also the grades. Also what is the best cut to roast...

[hattend]

BTTT, Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah!

[hattend]

Man, I'm learning all kinds of things on this thread. The only time I have ever heard of a Babka was on a Seinfeld episode ("There's a chocolate babka?")

Thanks for the recipes, Carlo!

[Ukiapah Heep]

I wonder if our fellow MOTs at Democratic Underground (phooey) spend their Chanukkah lamenting the treatment of Antiochus, and their Purim whining about the humiliation of Haman.