Festival of Lights
HANUKKAH
Festival of Lights/ Feast of Dedication,
As a kid, Hanukkah
was the Jewish replacement for Christmas,
But even better!
We celebrated for eight nights,
Which meant eight presents!
It was the festival of lights
We ate latkes or potato pancakes,
We Played with spinning tops called driedels
Sang the driedel song
Opened one present each night
Filled up ona chocolate money called Gelt
Got all the adults to sing along
In our beautiful nine branched candelabra
Called a hanukiah or menorah
One Hanukkah candle was lit each night
An extra candle, called the shamash, or the "attendant"
Was used to light the others candles
Oh what a memorable sight!
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, invaded Judea
Came upon the Jews with a great army, took their City by force
soldiers plundered without mercy, slaying a multitude of Jews
Antiochus spoiled the Temple, stopping the ritual daily sacrifice
Judaism was outlawed, circumcision was banned, an alter to Zeus was erected
and pigs were sacrificed in the temple, the people lost their right to choose.
Antiochus's actions provoked a large-scale revolt
Maccabees fought a guerilla war, and won the battle
The Seleucid monarchy was crushed
The temple was purified and rededicated
Undefiled pure olive oil was required to light the temple menorah
Only enough oil for one night, yet the oil burned for eight, the people were hushed
Hanukkah, a celebration of struggle and liberation
Whether or not the miracle occurred
Is secondary to our continual struggle to survive
We place the menorah with candles burning
In a window, to show the world
We’re here, we’re free, and we are still alive!
Copyright © Barry Ponneck | Year Posted 2014
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