A few hundred ragtag, rabbinic Maccabees
faced the might of Antiochus’ army
60,000 fighting men strong
The Chanukah story we all know
The rabbis delivered Greece a knockout blow
Rededicated the Temple, and with a small cruise of oil
lit the lamps of the Menorah, eight nights in all
Yet in our prayers, not a single word about
the military prowess of the ‘Mighty Maccabees’
We thank God, and God alone, for routing Greece
Mattathias, the leader, and his sons,
five indomitable priests
we praise instead
~ but only for their spiritual feats
___________________________________________
The Talmud asks: 'What is Chanukah?' The above is
(a much-condensed version of) the answer it gives.
(Tractate 'Shabbos,' 21a - 23b)... Also found in the
'Abridged Book of Jewish Law, Laws of Chanukah,
Solomon Gantzfried, (English version)
Categories:
antiochus, chanukah, history, inspirational, jewish,
Form: Rhyme
Mr. Arthur Hamilton was presented with an odd proposition.
He received a note from a stranger at a train station.
A phone call came from a “deceased” friend the night before.
The next night, that same person called Mr. Hamilton once more.
The voice was speaking with some strange familiarity.
Arthur became convinced the voice was from his old friend Charlie.
The friend told Hamilton of his second opportunity.
Charlie told Arthur to go to the note’s address.
There, Mr. Hamilton’s life would receive a redress.
This secret company was presenting an offer quite strange.
An entirely new life was something they would arrange.
Here was a clandestine organization conducting a bizarre game.
Antiochus Wilson would be Mr. Hamilton’s new name.
He would have a stronger and younger body,
along with an entirely new identity.
Here was Arthur Hamilton’s second life opportunity.
Wonder what will happen? Just watch the movie.
based on the 1966 film "Seconds"
Categories:
antiochus, science fiction,
Form: Rhyme
Greatest of military men, Carthage's son, bright and bold
Took the elephants of war over the Pyrenees frozen cold
And would delay the Gentile's time fulfilling when the race
Stood proud, under your command of the second Punic war
But then that Africanus, your student with love displaced
Entered North Africa, to plunder, to maim, and there to scar
Except you had relinquished pride for love of native land
To find your Waterloo at Judas unwaning hand in the sand
Tell me how you conquered Spain again, tell me how Iberia
Under Africa's constellation slipped from darkness and hysteria
Into confidence and light; Tell me about Bithynia's fast fleet
That routed the Pergamons, and revenged Antiochus plight
Look now how Alexander, Caesar, Napolean, before your feet
Lay their laurels, and in Tunisia old men eyes gleamed light
When your name is called, but where is your grave, great one?
How past all mighty empires in the dusk of the setting sun?
Categories:
antiochus, warme, love, me,
Form: Verse