By Brandon Case
Pratt columnist – Great Plains Wondering
Special to the Tribune
Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah) began on Christmas Day at sunset and continues through sunset on January 8.
Here’s a synopsis of this significant holiday on the Jewish calendar. The Greco-Syrian Empire, which at the time ruled over the land of Israel, outlawed Judaism in an attempt to force the Jews to worship the pagan gods of Hellenism. The Jews were also commanded to eat pork as proof of their allegiance to the emperor, Antiochus. When a Greco-Syrian soldier entered the temple (which had already been desecrated) and started to sacrifice a pig on the altar, a priest named Mattathias became enraged and stabbed the soldier to death. Mattathias and his sons, the Maccabees, then led a successful revolt against the Greco-Syrians. After their victory, it was time to purify the temple and make it suitable for worship again. To do this, holy oil was needed to light the temple’s great menorah. Only a small cruse of oil could be found, barely enough to last a day. However, the tiny amount of oil burned for eight days and nights. The temple was purified. It was a miracle!
Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights. Observant Jews light one candle (using a middle, ninth candle to do so) for each day that the small cruse of oil burned.
During the holiday, families gather together, special prayers are offered and gifts are given.
Food, which includes dishes fried in oil, is a part of nightly celebrations. Although not Jewish, my wife and I have hosted an annual Hanukkah meal for many years, inviting friends to join us. Here is what our menu looks like: smoked brisket (not kosher, since that is hard to find here in Pratt); latkes (these fried potatoes with various other ingredients are a Hanukkah tradition); matzo ball soup (it’s a favorite of mine, especially on a cold winter’s night); noodle kugel (a sweet, delicious part of the meal); and, apple cake (yum).
I was thinking about Hanukkah recently when I drove down Main Street in Greensburg at the end of the lighted Christmas parade. There were
lighted “balloons” all up and down the street. I even saw a balloon twirling inside cars that passed me, going the opposite direction. Truly, Greensburg was celebrating its own festival of lights that evening.
As Peter, Paul, and Mary remind us in their Hanukkah song, “Don’t let the lights go out.” Happy Hanukkah to you and yours.
