Hanukah - December 3, 2010
Shabbat Hanukah
Friday, December 3, 2010
(2 stories from the New Yorker Magazine)
STORY about The Last Maccabee
“Hear me, O God!” he shouted, raising his broad bronze sword. “Though you may test me, my sorrow shall be a grindstone! My suffering shall be a crucible! And I will not rest until this sanctified land is delivered into the hands of the righteous!” He beat his chest and let out a piercing war cry that struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.
Five minutes later, he was escorted out of the building by security. And although no one pressed charges, Kyle Maccabee would never work at Deloitte & Touche again.
STORY about The Brightest Light - (a story w/ 2 endings)
There once was a little candle named Blue. Blue lived in a box with his forty-four brothers, all of them waiting for Hanukkah, when the Boy would reach into the box and place them atop the menorah for all the world to see.
But when the first night of Hanukkah came, and the Boy reached into the box, he did not pick Blue. Nor did he pick him on the second night, or on the third. And Blue was heartbroken, for he thought he would never sit atop the menorah.
Finally, on the eighth and final night of Hanukkah, the Boy reached into the box—and whom should he pick but Blue! And the Boy said, “Because you were so patient, I will make you the Shamash. And I will light you on fire first, and then I will use your flame to kindle the rest of your brothers.”
[1] And Blue was the proudest candle in the Menorah!
[2] And Blue went pale and said, “Wait—what?”
True to his word, the Boy placed Blue atop the menorah. And as Blue was slowly incinerated by his bright little flame he screamed with joy, or something.
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Friends, this is a GREAT holiday. Not only because of the mood and the atmosphere; but this entire month the world seems happier. After all, we’re fully into the holiday season. Starting after the pumpkins for Halloween, and Thanksgiving, and now, the build up to Christmas (and Hanukah).
In an Op-Ed on Tuesday in the NY Times a writer said (11/30/10) the holiday might not have the draw on its own for our attention though. We borrow Xmas customs – no, not a Hanukah bush – there ISN’T any such things as a Hanukah bush! – it’s a Xmas tree regardless. We borrow also the colored lights; celebrations, parties, family gatherings. And the food. Well, come of the food. Maybe not the latkes!
But what about celebrating the fight for freedom to practice religion as we would like to? How do we commemorate a battle over religious freedom?! Eat greasy potato pancakes?! Light a Menorah?! Play a game with a spinning top?! Sing a few songs which never reach the cultural norm as White Christmas (Irving Berlin)?! – written by Jews who probably observed Hanukah or (Johnny Marks) "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," or (Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne) "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow."
Christmas I get. The birth of Jesus. New Years – his circumcision (Remember: he lived and died as a Jew). For Christians, to celebrate the birth of either their God or the their savior makes sense. I also understand the maxim, “Jesus is the reason for the season.” And agree with – less emphasis on acquisitiveness and more on religiousness. Suits me.
But Hanukah? Let’s see: freedom. But for that we have Passover, Pesach, right?! Most important for our history is leaving Egypt in order to go to Sinai to receive our national constitution – the Torah – there, and then on to the Promised Land, current day Israel. We mention it at every service, in many of our prayers, and retell in detail annually, with special symbols, special foods, and special memories.
But Hanukah is about the oil. Fat. Grease. I know Matzah is carbs too, but compare a sheet of Matzah to one big thick juicy latke, potato pancake! (Wait, I’ll get my Weight Watchers point counter out!) Hanukah makes a statement. At least for the waistline.
This past Wednesday night, I joined the students and teachers of our school to light the Hanukah candles, sing a few songs, to tell the story, and talk about the reason for the holiday. I confess; (PAUSE) I did commit blasphemy.
I asked the kids about the oil. I asked, “If you had a small quantity of oil – only enough to last for a day - how long would it last?” I got different responses. “Eight days!” someone said. “One day,” said another. “I don’t know,” a third.
Again, I asked, “How long would it last?” (PAUSE). OK – one day. ONE DAY – not eight! How many of us can really believe the “8 day” part of the story?
Of course there are different layers of all our festivals & history. We could and do tell real little ones and older kids. First to make an impression. But in good conscience, I couldn’t perpetuate the 8 day oil thing to these pre-bar/bat mitzvah students. I had to be real. I had to be honest with them. Because at some point, when they stopped believing in the 8-day lasting oil part of the story, they might not have something to replace it. Something like a real message they could believe in. a rational, sensible, logical explanation. (Yes, I have a different understanding of upper-case “M” Miracles, and lower-case “m” miracles. Those that were purported to be done by supernatural feat – God splitting the Red or the Reed Sea vs. the everyday “miracle” of nature or life or love or birth of a child or healing of a sick relative.
OK – could the small Jewish army of Maccabees (Hasmoneans) battling & defeating the Greek Assyrians be the “miracle?!” How real is it? Could it have happened?
And if not, what is the “thing” about Hanukah? What is Hanukah’s real message?!
Fifty-five years ago this week on December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks, age 42, refused to obey bus driver’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. We will always remember that act which helped lead to the end of segregation in the South. That’s something to be remembered and honored! And we do for the entire Black History month each February and on a single day recalling Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday and his part in the struggle for civil rights.
For us Jews, the celebration for religious freedom is important! It’s central to any free people, especially in a free society. How do we commemorate the Maccabee’s’ important battle and victory?
A side dish at dinner: potato pancakes. Potato pancakes seem all too banal and unexceptional. So let’s take a look at what else we might consider as we Reconstruct Hanukah for 2010.
First the candles: let’s say we keep 8 + the Shamash = 9 to light. How would we light them? (PAUSE) One the first night, two the second and on? As we do now? OR eight the first night, then seven, six…? What about 8 EACH night?! A larger box of candles, more matches, more wax-burnt fingers?
Foods: of course, we’re Jewish. What food would represent Hanukah best? Ideas?
Advertising the “miracle.” I like the Menorah in the window, but how else could we promote or market or publicize Hanukah?
Music: couldn’t we do better than, “I have a little dreidle?” “Light one candle,” by PP&M is a great start. Maoz Tzur, Rock of Ages (needs a new English translation) can stay. But don’t we have the talent to make a Jewish holiday song as enduring as some of the Jewish-written Christmas carols?!
Or what else? How could we make Hanukah’s message timeless, and forefront and compelling?! How would we or could we create or build or establish customs – new customs? – which give deep and lasting and memorable meaning to Hanukah? [congr responses]
Maybe we need a “re-do.” An expansion of custom. One that will draw our attention, our energy and a uniqueness to compel us to share in an important lesson in life – a lesson upon which no less than our country was founded. AND THAT IS: To be able to observe our own or any religious tradition that we choose – freely, openly, visibly and unambiguously as proud Jews! AND in true Reconstructionist spirit.
AMEN. Hag Urim Sameach – Happy Hanukah!