Celebrate Hanukkah on Kauai and Around the World
Chag Urim Sameach!! Happy Festival of Lights. The messages of Hanukkah are felt deeply again this year with the pandemic. That includes rekindling the flame of hope in our lives and re-dedicating ourselves to all that really matters. We will, God willing, persevere.
Candles or oil burning is a technology that keeps us connected. It will last as long as we need to get to the other side of this year. There are always better times ahead with brighter Hanukkahs and days in front of us.
Holidays including Hanukkah are about an inherited, created, or reenvisioned narrative. These traditions are beautiful and important even when they are not 100% factual in basis. There are so many wonderful Hanukkah lessons to be had as we stand up and embrace our pluralistic Jewish identity and acknowledge the miracles we see in the world, including Jews triumphing to have a land of their own in Israel.
I invite you to look beyond the facts as you reimagine the holiday. Happy Hanukkah!
Hanukkah Basics 101
Some things you may not know:
Where to place menorah. It is customary to place the chanukiah (menorah) either 1) on the side of the house opposite the mezuzah on the door, so that you are surrounded by mitzvot in your home; or 2) outside the door of the house that faces the street, to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah.
When to light on Shabbat: Hanukkah candles are lit first so nothing interferes with the lighting of Shabbat candles. Some choose to light longer-lasting candles on Friday so that they last well into Shabbat, as it is proscribed that the candles must burn after it is dark.
How to light: Start with one candle on the first night and add another candle each night. Another tradition starts with all candles lit on the first night, and then one less each night. Candles are inserted from right to left like Hebrew is read, but then lit from left to right so the most recent candle is first. Think of it this way. If you are on night four, start by lighting the 4th candle first.
Hanukkah always starts on the 25th day of the month of Kislev. This can be anywhere between late November and late December on the secular calendar.
Hanukkah stands for dedication. It celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks). They tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture. A small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, and rededicated it to the service of G‑d.
Hanukkah from history to today
Holiday has so many more layers than we think. Did you know that historians believe that oil legend may have been a fiction invented by rabbis hundreds of years after the holiday was first celebrated, at the time of Talmud, to soften the militaristic message of the holiday? Indeed the oil legend brings the holiday to a more spiritual/religious miracle.
To this day, in Israel, the holiday has children dressing as Maccabees and carrying swords, as well as marching military-like music.
Hanukkah is not in the Torah. And, it has evolved to be the Jewish counter-Christmas. Chanukah is largely now about hearth and home, family and materialism. Chanukah gelt was a tradition that emanated in Eastern Europe and included charity. Now, however, it largely embraces American gift-giving instead, in addition to parties, holiday foods, games and decorations. Other Jewish holidays have not morphend in this way. It is interesting to note that Purim used to be the gift-giving holiday, especially focused on gifts of food. But as Euroopean Jews came to the US, they wanted to demonstrate American-style materialism, including shopping, clothing, and home pianos. Gift giving demonstrated Jews’ upward mobility while mirroring Christian neighbors at Christmas. Purim was largely lost as Jews assimilated.
Hanukkah 2021
While there isn’t much that hasn’t already been said about Hanukkah, this year, like last, brings new insights into its meaning. It is an opportunity to reminisce about things past, and things present. It provides an opportunity to embrace gratitude for everything in life.
Hanukkah both commemorates something long ago, as well as events in our own lives from childhood on. It affords us a chance to celebrate ourselves, our lives, and Judaism, rejoicing in our unique traditions and customs that we hold dear no matter where we find ourselves in this world.
The Rabbis of the Mishnah created a global event of large proportions that could easily have been overlooked. It has come to represent many things, including the ability of those less powerful or privileged to overcome oppression and global powers.
Hanukkah also represents the wondrous resilience and vivacity of Israel. It teaches us that we as a people are living an existence nothing short of wondrous, in a physical realm that is seemingly quite ordinary.
Of all the holidays we celebrate as Jews, Hanukkah is one where we mostly focus on children. Even young children are encouraged to light the candles, play dreidel, and take part in the delicious and not everyday foods. The entire celebration from simple traditional prayers, beautiful candles, and tasty foods become quickly inscribed as a joyous life experience. Hanukkah is the ideal holiday for kids to experience the miracle, wonder, and joy of being a Jew.
Hanukkah around the world in food.
As with other Jewish holidays, food plays a central role in Chanukah. Chocolate has its place, think chocolate coins to eat and as rewards for dreidel. Oil-based foods are prominently featured including the legendary potato latkes and sufganiyot (doughnuts). Here are more:
Indian Jews traditionally use coconut oil wicks to light their candles. Delicious Indian treats include samosas, halva, sweet rice, burfi, puran poli, and modak laddoo. Our homemade pista (pistachio) burfi is pictured below.
North African Jews from Morocco, Yemen, Algeria, Tunisia and beyond celebrate the 7th night of Chanukah, which marks the beginning of Chag Ha’Banot, the Daughters’ Festival. The story’s heroines, Judith and Hannah fought to maintain their culture and save the Jews. Moroccan Jews add oranges to their sufganiyot.
Celebrations in Israel widely feature Sufganiyot. A common practice is to display your menorah so others can see the lights burning.
Turkish Jews enjoy bimuelos (fritters) and sing unique songs.
In Italy, Jews enjoy a unique olive oil-sweetened and honey-laden treat called Precipizi.
In Columbia, Jews eat Patacones instead of latkes. These are plantains fried in oil.
However you choose to celebrate, we wish you a meaningful holiday! Whether you find new traditions from other cultures, stay with the classics, or venture out on your own, take time to reflect on gratitude for miracles throughout our lives. Chag Sameach!!
