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:
rededicated, chanukah, history, inspirational, jewish,
Form: Rhyme
A discordant drumbeat from Washington comes
Lawmakers to senseless partisanship succumb
Midst the darkness, light a candle
Pave the way for the Savior to come
From the Oval Office menacing texts and tweets
Leaving a sour taste behind holiday treats
Midst the darkness, light a candle
Thrill to the triumph of the Maccabees**
Social media's blasphemers, angry trolling mobs
Intimidating their victims, making them sob
Midst the darkness, light a candle
Send a signal to the bullies and snobs
Terrorism the world over rears its ugly head
So many innocents, injured or dead
Midst the darkness, light a candle
May the Flame of Goodness be spread
**The Maccabees restored and rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem,
including the Menorah Lamp, their brave deeds memorialized in the
Holiday of Chanukah.
Categories:
rededicated, god, holiday, light,
Form: Rhyme