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)
Hymie Frankel sat in a restaurant
in the courtyard of a mall
Hymie was aware for sure
that the fare wasn’t kosher at all
The Rabbi of Hymie’s synagogue
just happened to walk past
When he noticed where Hymie was
he let out an awful gasp
Hymie, friend, what’s eating you
You know you mustn’t dine here
‘Now don’t you fret, Rabbi Cohen
There’s nothing whatsoever to fear’
‘You’ve seen me order, have you not?’
‘Yes, I have, but what’s that got—’
‘And you’ve seen me eat the shrimp they brought?’
‘Yes, I have. That’s why I’m so hot—’
‘Then, good! You’ll surely agree with the court’s decision
~ I’m dining under strict Rabbinic supervision!’
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