Those Who Celebrate

     Societies celebrate for various reasons. Whatever it is, celebration results when most people agree on something valuable to them. It can be once and done, or a tradition repeated annually. 

     Israel's enemy is not a country. It is a military that celebrates only death and destruction, if it parties at all. Jewish people are being demonized around the world, including American universities, for trouble started by an offspring of Muslim Brotherhood. Some brotherhood.

     Support for terrorist Hamas is ridiculous. Palestinians, who have shown little ability to form a modern nation, will be worse off if helpful Israel is eliminated. Antisemitic hatred falls on the one Middle Eastern society (and Jews elsewhere) which could and should be an example, not despised. 

     These civilized people don't start wars, but they defend themselves. Some celebrate a holiday on the Jewish religious calendar known as Chanukah. This isn't mandated by the Torah. It is not mentioned in the Hebrew Bible. Chanukah was created by rabbis some 1800 years ago. 

     Judaism is one of the world's oldest and most influential religions. Worldwide there may be more than 15 million people (despite Hitler's loony plan to eradicate them). Chanukah this year began at sundown, December 7, and ends the evening of December 15. 

     One tradition is to light a nine-pronged menorah. The practice is to light one candle per night to recall (celebrate) the miracle of the sacred lamp oil that lasted eight days. Chanukah is celebrated mostly at home rather than in a synagogue. Family time includes singing songs, praying and cooking foods. 

     Dishes cooked in oil commemorate the miracle of the oil. They serve potato pancakes, jelly doughnuts and chocolate. Yum.  

     Aren't these people scary? Watch out! Someone might come up behind you with a doughnut. 

         Jimmy