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Hanukkah Chanukah
Is it Hanukkah
Or Chanukah
Both are correct
It depends if you use the Latin or Hebrew dialect
Regardless of what you say
The meaning is the same both here and far away
It is an eight day historical event
To commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over a Greco-Syrian monarch that tried to circumvent
With his fall
The Jews were released from his thrall
Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is the celebration that gave the Jews back their rights
A lantern was lit in the Holy Temple that shined bright for eight nights
They only expected it to last one night to read the Torah
This gave rise to the eight candles on the Hanukkiah, not a menorah
The Hanukkiah has nine candles total
This tells the story of an anecdotal
Eight are the same height
The ninth known as the shamash is used to light
One candle added right to left per night
The candles are lit left to right
Hanukkah also has a spiritual aspect
This is a time to surely show respect
A warm and toasty ritual to ward off the winter blahs
Let’s give them an applause
As this is not a time to attend the synagogue or read the Torah
Instead, it is a time to spend time with those you love to give off a good aura
Some Jews give presents
And participate in other events
While others decorate
To include their gate
Most of all, Hanukkah is a time for food, drinks, and to share stories
Of various categories
Now that we covered the history
Let’s get more into the elements of the story
We already covered the Hanukkiah and the history of the Maccabees quest
Now we can talk about the rest
Just like Christmas, Hanukkah has songs of its own
Some we have heard and others not well known
From dreidels to the glory of God
These songs have made others applaud
Next comes the yummy fried treats
Oh, all kinds of main dishes and sweets
From latkes to sufganiyot made in the kitchen
My what a tradition
Dreidels are a customary tradition
Originally used to fool the oppression
Children would pretend to play with these in order to read the Torah instead
Today dreidels have four Hebrew characters translating to “Great Miracle Happened There” reminding us not to be misled
Gold coins known as gelt
Watch out, today’s chocolate ones melt
Children would give these to their teachers and aides
And parents would give them to their children for making good grades
Gelt is also a symbol of Jewish independence
While not forgetting about their transcendence
Copyright ©
Ja Angelo
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