CHANUKKAH, HANUKKAH, CHANNUKAH

How do you spell a Hebrew word with a “ch” sound that only Jews can say anyway? It’s thought of as the Jewish Christmas, but take just a second to think this through. Hanukkah started way way way before Christmas. Anyway, this Jewish holiday commemorates the retaking of Jerusalem from the Greeks. Then a miracle occurred when a day’s worth of holy oil lasted eight days, giving the priests enough time to consecrate some new oil. We light candles (Menorah) and give small gifts each of the eight days.

And don't forget to eat plenty of latkes, which actually commemorates the holy oil, since we cook them in oil. Does this make sense? Only in a Yiddishe Kup. One final note.....Hanukkah is a controversial addition to the Jewish Holiday Calendar. Many Rabbis did not want it in there because it revolves around a violent action taken by Jews. Admittedly it was considered an act of self-defense, but still the Jewish religion is primarily non-violent, so a holiday with violence attached is not ideal. Some scholars think that this is the reason the eight day miracle with the oil was added to the holiday mythology. At least then there's a spiritual element attached. Enough philosophy.