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.
Shalom Simcha! Have a gevaltic Chanukah!
I'm in!
Ok, ok here is the real thingy.. I was only trying to help with those pesky diets.. :)Authentic Cheese Blintzes Wrapper (Crepe) batter
For filling
- 3 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Make wrapper batter:
- 1 1/2 cups farmer cheese
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
In a blender blend wrapper batter ingredients and let stand 30 minutes.
In an 8-inch skillet, preferable non-stick, melt half of butter over moderately high heat. Pour in enough batter to just coat the bottom of skillet, swirling, and cook, undisturbed, until top is set and bottom in golden (do not turn wrapper over). Transfer wrapper to paper towels in one layer, golden side down. Make more wrappers with remaining butter and batter.
Make filling:
In a food processor, blend cheeses, sugar, and cinnamon until smooth. If necessary, add flour to thicken filling.
Preheat oven to 250°F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Put 3 tablespoons filling in center of each wrapper and fold opposite sides of wrapper over filling until sides barely touch. Fold in ends to completely enclose filling, forming packets, and arrange, seams sides down, on baking sheet. Make more blintzes with remaining filling and wrappers. Bake blintzes, covered loosely with foil, until heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.
Makes 10 blintzes.
Alouette wrote:
I-696 and Greenfield.
Yummy - now those sound like real blintzes!
I understand your penchant to help out those with the pesky diets, and I know it is greatly appreciated. I've tried many of them, even though I'm one of those pesky people that need not worry.
HAPPY HANUKKAH
but it's been over 20 years.
Zeman's.
Wonderful.. Thank you and Happy Holiday
thank you!
That name's not ringing a bell for me, but it could have changed or moved or died and goten re-incaranted..
I hope the doughnuts are good!
Thanks for the ping!
Thank you for all these GREAT recipes and Happy Hanukkah everyone.
Bookmark -- sounds delicious, Carlo!
LOL!
free dixie,sw
GREAT RECIPES!
why not come over to the FReeper FOXHOLE & post them there too?????
free dixie,sw
I'll take a photo on the last night so you can see it in it's full glory!
On the raspberry-almond version of the cookie. WHere do the almonds go?
Mmm, I could go for some matzoh soup now.
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