posted on December 15, 2006 01:29:18 PM
To all our Jewish posters.
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A commentary from Townhall.com
December 15, 2006
The Festival of Lights - Albert Mohler
The celebration of Hanukkah--also known as the "Festival of Lights"--begins at midnight on December 15 this year.
But, to many who are not Jewish, the celebration is often something of a mystery.
What is Hanukkah all about?
The celebration commemorates the Jewish rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by Antiochus IV--ruler of an enemy power.
About 200 BC, the Jews regained the temple and rededicated it to God. The problem was oil--there was only enough oil to light the temple flame for one day. But, as Hanukkah celebrates, the oil miraculously lasted for eight days, allowing the Jews to obtain the oil they needed to keep the flame burning.
The Menorah--the seven-branched light of Jewish tradition--is closely associated with Hanukkah and its eight days of celebration. The festival and the lights commemorate the survival of the Jewish people.
Remember this as you wish your Jewish friends and neighbors Happy Hanukkah.
[Albert Mohler is the host of The Albert Mohler Program. Read Albert Mohler's blog on AlbertMohler.com.]
This is a very nice and positive post, IF you would make all your posts like this one, I think you would do quite well and be liked by almost everyone.
I join you in wishing everyone a Happy Festival of Lights as well.
posted on December 15, 2006 02:03:55 PM
As a Jew, let me explain why I hate Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a minor festival in the Jewish faith. It is roughly equal to Columbus Day to American History. No day off work, nothing major. Just remember that something important happened. It has been blown into a major deal by Anxious Jews wanting to be seen as equal to Christians, and by Christians who want to appear progressive by including Jews in their Christmas Displays (thus trying to make an illegal religious display on public property legal... The Jews can't complain, we've got one of those candelabras). I don't buy it. It was not an important Holiday (get it... HOLY DAY), but rather a festival that has been blown all out of proportion by an American public desperate for its pleasant, Populist Theocracy.
posted on December 15, 2006 02:14:06 PM
I have three Jewish childhood girlfriends whose families have always [all my life] celebrated this holiday....always looked forward to celebrating it.
So, I guess as in most cases in life, there are those who value it more than others. See it in a much different light.
