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Happy Hanukkah


ָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו וְצִוָּנוּ לְהַדְלִיק נֵר חֲנֻכָּה 

(Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik ner Cha-nu-kah.)
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has sanctified us with His commandments, and commanded us to kindle the Chanukah light. (First Blessing)

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁעָשָׂה נִסִּים לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם בִּזְּמַן הַזֶּה

(Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-a-sa ni-sim la-avo-te-nu ba-ya-mim ha-hem bi-zman ha-zeh.)
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our forefathers in those days, at this time. (Second Blessing)

ָּרוּךְ אַתָּה אֲדֹנָי אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם שֶׁהֶחֱיָנוּ וְקִיְּמָנוּ וְהִגִּיעָנוּ לִזְּמַן הַזֶּה

(Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech Ha-olam she-heche-ya-nu ve-ki-yi-ma-nu ve-higi-a-nu liz-man ha-zeh.)
Blessed are You, Lord our G‑d, King of the universe, who has granted us life, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this occasion.  (Traditional blessing given on the first night of Hanukkah) 

            Tonight, as Christians begin their Christmas Eve celebrations, Jews will begin their celebration of Hanukkah. I've sometimes thought that I should know more about Jewish (and other) holidays and my acquaintance with a Jewish couple here has given me an excuse to learn a little, and to correct some errors on my part. 
            Hanukkah is the celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean revolt against the Greek Palestinians known as the Seleucids. At the time of the rededication, it was discovered that there was only enough oil prepared to keep the lamp lit for one day, but the oil lasted eight days, until more was prepared. Somewhere along the line, I fused this revolt with the revolt at Masada. They aren't the same. 
             Each night during Hanukkah, candles are lit to represent yet another day of the oil burning in the temple. One or more of the blessings above are said (the third traditionally said on the first night.) It is a time of celebration and joy. Oil is often used as a representation of the Holy Spirit. How often do we think of needing "more" of the Spirit? And yet, what was "not enough" was enough until "more" could be supplied in the usual way. Not only was that a cause of celebration and praise, but I believe it was contingent upon their celebration and praise. 
           Clearly, there is a great deal more that I need to learn about this holiday. I'm sharing with you all this concert in honor of the Jewish people in general and my friends the Shames in particular. I hope you'll be blessed by it.
 

Hanukkah Concert









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