Happy Hannukah (sic)

(Notwithstanding differences of spelling)

I have pretty much been around lots of Jews my whole life, have a pretty good grasp of basic Yiddish (especially the insults ), but unfortunately no Hebrew. They have always been the best of friends.

For the first time after all these years, wife and I have had the opportunity to celebrate Hanukkah with our friends. While our friends recited the prayers in Hebrew, I was given the opportunity to recite the prayers in English as well.

It was super interesting respectfully discussing history and both the congruity and differences between our two religions... and obviously the war.

Downside... Hanukkah tradition dictates the eating of fried foods, so with Christmas , we have a double excuse to overindulge

 

[Garpal Gumnut]

Thank you @wayneL

While being aware of the Northern Winter feast and holiday of חֲנֻכָּה‎ or חֲנוּכָּה‎ (Ḥănukā), it has been more prescient this year because of the kerfuffles still occurring in the Holy Land.

It is worth noting that history is written by the victors and many of my Jewish friends agree that a win for the Hebrews is long overdue. And some don't. And as with many wins it is yet to be seen whether it will withstand the whims of the Great Croupier in the Casino of Life.

There is wit and genius in all cousins no matter which god they worship. My many friends of religion and none display genius and folly in equal measure.

Light is a signifier of force and enlightenment, of deliverance from chains and ignorance. Hanukkah celebrates light persisting after the fuel should have expired. It is usual to have the young, vibrant and fit out front lighting the candles to bring their deliverance in to another year. Unfortunately in the USA this festival has been hijacked by secular Judaism and reached its nadir last weekend when an 82 year old fumbling, piss soaked fool called Potus declared his allegiance to the festival of lights.

Let us keep religion in this important festival on the calendar of belief. A calendar populated by a thousand beliefs. Secular hegemony as that of the Israeli and American cousins is dangerous.

For those living under a rock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

gg

 

[wayneL]

Thank you @wayneL

While being aware of the Northern Winter feast and holiday of חֲנֻכָּה‎ or חֲנוּכָּה‎ (Ḥănukā), it has been more prescient this year because of the kerfuffles still occurring in the Holy Land.

It is worth noting that history is written by the victors and many of my Jewish friends agree that a win for the Hebrews is long overdue. And some don't. And as with many wins it is yet to be seen whether it will withstand the whims of the Great Croupier in the Casino of Life.

There is wit and genius in all cousins no matter which god they worship. My many friends of religion and none display genius and folly in equal measure.

Light is a signifier of force and enlightenment, of deliverance from chains and ignorance. Hanukkah celebrates light persisting after the fuel should have expired. It is usual to have the young, vibrant and fit out front lighting the candles to bring their deliverance in to another year. Unfortunately in the USA this festival has been hijacked by secular Judaism and reached its nadir last weekend when an 82 year old fumbling, piss soaked fool called Potus declared his allegiance to the festival of lights.

Let us keep religion in this important festival on the calendar of belief. A calendar populated by a thousand beliefs. Secular hegemony as that of the Israeli and American cousins is dangerous.

For those living under a rock. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

gg

Umm yeah.

People tend to view Judaism as a single contigious thought process. They do the same with Islam, humanism; and I am sure Christianity as well (as well as every other damn thing).

The may be a basic central tenet in all of these things, but outside of that, all are disparate collection of beliefs and doctrines under a very general and hazy umbrella.

For instance as far as Judaism goes, apart from six distinct doctrinal variations there is even the so-called Messianic Jews; Jewish, yet believers in the divinity of Jesus (with all the attendant debate that entails).

Those of us who are Christians know of the deep doctrinal divides... a very long and boring conversation which even I have no interest in. The key is in the word "belief" itself; a view for which we have no concrete evidence of.

So, whatevah!

Anyway, back to Hanukkah; strictly it is not part of Christian tradition, but there is no reason why we cannot celebrate it on our own, or with Jewish friends.

It has some good reasons and prompts for contemplation... and, a bloody good excuse break my rules and to eat fried foods

</musing>