December 6th - Hanukkah

I love the Jewish people, and

I love the story of Hanukkah.

Start Quote

Hanukkah commemorates a miracle that occurred in 165 B.C., 

after Judas Maccabaeus and his followers reclaimed Jerusalem

 from a Greek emperor who considered Israel a Greek province.  

In an attempt to assimilate conquered nations into a 

cohesive and controllable society, the Greek empire prohibited 

any other religion; Jews were forced to abandon their faith 

and ordered to worship Greek gods. 

By decree, the Temple of Jerusalem was turned into a Greek shrine,

 and Jews were forbidden to study the Torah, 

celebrate their holidays, or practice Jewish customs. 

Many Jews, disobeying the edict, died for their beliefs. 

After a three-year guerrilla campaign, the Maccabees were victorious 

and the temple was restored to Jewish worship. 

As part of their re-dedication ceremony 

(the word "Hanukkah" means dedication)

 the Maccabees began an eight-day purification rite, 

only to discover there was barely enough sacred oil 

to keep the temple menorah - a candelabrum with eight branches - 

lit for one day. 

 

Miraculously, the temple lamp burned continuously for eight days. 

Ever since that time the Jewish people have observed Hanukkah 

in remembrance of their struggle for religious freedom and the

 miracle of restoration, symbolized by the abundance of oil.

Many who celebrate Christmas believe that Hanukkah is a 

festival reserved solely for those who practice Judaism. 

But as Harold  Kushner points out...

if it weren't for Hanukkah, we wouldn't be celebrating Christmas.

Had the Maccabees not rebelled against the Greeks, 

the Jewish faith would have faded into Greek culture, 

never to be heard of again.  

"There would have been no Jewish community

 for Jesus to be born into a century and a half later. 

No one would have remembered the 

messianic promises he claimed to fulfill. 

Without Hanukkah, there would have been no Christmas."...

[Many times we forget that Jesus was a Jew.]

Jesus lived his entire life as an observant Jew. He celebrated Hanukkah as a child; the Last Supper was a Passover seder. All the apostles and most of those who became his early followers were Jewish. The crowds who came to hear Jesus preach called him "Rabbi," the Hebrew word for teacher. Perhaps our similarities and heritage are greater than our differences after all.

Personally, I've come to think of Hanukkah as a celebration of authenticity. The Maccabees refused to surrender what made them authentic - their faith - even if it cost them their lives. Not to be able to live as observant Jews was not to live at all. I also consider the Hanukkah miracle the earliest recorded demonstration of Simple Abundance. Two thousand years ago there was only enough sacred oil for one night. But all that these faithful, courageous, and grateful people had was all that they needed... 

Miracles are for anyone who believes.

End Quote 

I feel very unqualified to talk about this Jewish holiday,

or anything Jewish for that matter.

I'm not very well versed in the Old Testament, 

and I've never read the Torah. 

I have had several Jewish friends/acquaintances.

One just sent me to a website to answer any of my questions,

and the website wasn't helpful.

I have an adoptive grandma who is Jewish, and she is awesome.

We love getting invited to her Temple. 

 Hopefully this year we can get a better picture, 

and we don't absolutely ruin the menorah.  

I mean, I've never had any practice lighting one, 

and so our first time we didn't do so well.

I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, 

and as I understand it those who are Jewish 

do not believe that and they are still waiting for the Messiah to come. 

But put that aside, because I believe that Sarah is right.

If you think about it, we all have the same background.

Their miracles are our miracles. 

I think you can find miracles and love in almost anything,

if you're willing to look. 

"Perhaps our similarities and heritage are 

greater than our differences after all."

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Gratitude Journal

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1) Robbie is home! Robbie is home, Robbie is home, Robbie is home!!!

2) Play dates.

3) Quiet time.

4) Sushi. Alone. Quietly. Reading a book. Enjoying very much. 

5) When people call me funny little things, like "hun". It makes me happy.