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Greeks who sought to forcefully assimilate the People of Israel to the Greek culture ruled the Holy Land of Israel. Against all odds, a small band of faithful Jews defeated the mightiest armies on earth, drove the Greeks from the land and reclaimed their Holy Temple in Jerusalem. When they sought to light the Temple's Menorah (the seven branched candelabrum) they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks, miraculously, the one day supply burned for eight days, until new oil could be prepared under conditions of ritual purity. To commemorate these miracles the Jewish sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah. A Menorah is lit nightly for eight nights, a single flame on the first night, two on the second evening and so on till the eight night of Hanukkah when all the eight lights are kindled. Hanukkah customs include eating food fried in oil - latkes (potato pancakes) and donuts, playing with the dreidel (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there"; and the giving of Hanukkah gelt, gifts of money, to children.
Favorite tradition I make sure the whole family is present every night for the Menorah lighting. I make it a family affair. My favorite tradition is singing the beautiful Hanukkah melodies and following the kindling of the Menorah. A must-have Hanukkah dish Potato Latkes, of course. We eat the latkes to remind us of the miracle of the oil. The fact that they had only enough oil for the Temple Menorah to last one day but a miracle oc70
Bakersfield Life
December 2011
Photo by Henry A. Barrios
Rabbi Shmuel Schlanger, not pictured, his wife Esther and their children from left, Mendy, Shimshy, baby Gisa, and Leh and Chaya will celebrate the Jewish tradition of Hanukkah with the lighting of the Menorah.
in Jewish homes all over the world. My children are still young so we use chocolate coins, which, of course, makes the game doubly as sweet. The greatest Hanukkah gift ever My son was born two days before Hanukkah three years ago. It was the greatest Hanukkah “gift” one could ask for.
Latkes
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Illuminating the light in your home and within you The lights of the Menorah are what really inspire me. We live in a world today that sometimes seems so dark and oppressed. However, when I stand in front of the Hanukkah lights they symbolize the message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, of spirit over matter, of light over darkness. Such tiny flames can wipe away so much darkness. The Hanukkah lights remind us in a most obvious way that illumination begins at home, within oneself and one’s family, by increasing and intensifying the light of good deeds in the everyday experience, just as the Hanukkah Lights are kindled in growing numbers from day to day.
curred and the oil lasted for eight days! Dreidel brings families together After the lighting of the Menorah, we sit around and play driedel. Playing with the dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game played
Traditional Latkes
5 large potatoes, peeled 1 large onion 3 eggs 1/3 cup flour 1 tsp. Salt ¼ tsp. pepper ¾ cup oil for frying Use: 10-inch skillet Yields: 4 to 6 servings Grate potatoes and onion on the fine side of a grater, or in a food processor; or put in a blender with a little water.