Last Sunday, Yesterday Afternoon, December 14, Cantor Rabbi Richard Botton held his annual Hanukkah Ceremony here at THD ( see brochure above). More than 50 THD Residents attended the Lighting of the Menorah. Dick sang a few songs and along with his iconic solo from Man of La Mancha- The Impossible Dream. There was snacks after as well as beverages. At the bottom of this are the traditional foods serve during Hanukkah. If you are not Jewish, here's why Hanukkah is celebrated worldwide.
Hanukkah celebrates the miraculous rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees in the 2nd century BCE, commemorating their victory over oppressive rulers and the miracle of a single day's worth of oil burning for eight days. It's a festive "Festival of Lights" emphasizing religious freedom, marked by lighting a nine-branched menorah, eating oily foods like latkes and donuts, playing dreidel, and giving gelt (money or chocolate coins).
I took some photos during the celebration as follows:
I already consumed the potato fritters ( Latkes) when I took this photo.
- Latkes: Crispy, shallow-fried shredded potato pancakes, traditionally topped with sour cream or applesauce.
- Sufganiyot: Deep-fried, jelly-filled doughnuts dusted with powdered sugar, a popular sweet treat.
- Other Fried Items: Apple fritters, vegetable fritters, or even schnitzel might be served.
- Beef Brisket: A classic, slow-cooked centerpiece for the holiday meal.
- Roasted Chicken: Another popular choice for a festive main course.
- Kugel: A baked pudding, often noodle-based (noodle kugel), sometimes sweet and sometimes savory.
- Challah: Braided egg bread served with meals.
- Rugelach: Rolled pastries with fillings like cinnamon, nuts, or jam, often with a cream cheese dough.
- Babka: A sweet, braided bread or cake, often with chocolate or cinnamon.
- Hanukkah Gelt: Chocolate coins, often given to children, sometimes played with during dreidel games.
- Dairy Dishes: Sometimes enjoyed to recall the story of Judith, with cheese playing a role in the victory.
3 comments:
David - A one day supply oil lasting for eight days was something of a miracle. But it has been said the real miracle was the willingness of the people to even begin the search for oil in the wreckage of that Holy Temple. It is also remarkable that the celebration could more easily have been centered on the winning of that war against a much larger Greek force. But it was decided many years ago that celebrating a war, even a successful war, was not to be the focus of Hanukah.
Thank you Phil, for your additional comments on Hanukkah.
Phil’s idea about the miracle is hearsay! The real miracle was the rededication of our Holy Temple, and despite those who tried to end our beliefs—-we survived!! The war that ensued is incidental!
Post a Comment