Chanukah's Essence

The rabbi is right on the mark. This blog reminds me of what the rabbi wrote on page 47 of something to think about. it fits perfectly with what was written there. have a happy hannaka rabbi.

I agree with what MOSHE wrote. That is a big part of the reason I see for why the Jewish people are unique. We have the Torah and do our best to live by it while other nations do not. The other part is that we have the responsibility to teach it to those other nations, not be content to just be the chosen people... we are meant to be a light to the nations. The Jewish people are a miracle to celebrate on Chanukah.

that we are the chosen ones...look around you...we are held in the almighty s hand...He has us above all ...no matther what ...and no matter where ,,,Barouj Hou

Growing up and going to religious school was one of the most harrowing and painstaking ordeals I've ever had to endure - many people share this view, and it has even been discussed on this very website in depth. In hebrew school at Chanukah they always said "This is why WE (the Jews) are different", giving very broad explanations of circumcision and Torah study, but one of the questions my teachers never challenged me to ask was: "Why me? -why am I different?" If we don't ask that question, it simply becomes an third person observer holiday, and not one imbued with personal meaning. Its pretty hard to really tap into that jewish value of personal growth if we don't ask ourselves the following questions; 1.) How is Judaism different from the culture we find ourselves in, and 2.) How do I relate to those specific customs, values, etc? How do I fit into that puzzle and further strengthen those values which DO in fact differentiate my religion from all others/all other cultures.

I am not doing anything for Chanukah, such as lighting the menorah or celebrating with others. I just don't feel right for a few personal reasons. On the other hand, i am reading many of the different stories about Chanukah. I am in tune with the Maccabees, Yehudit, overt miracle of the military victory, the transcendent miracle of the olive oil, the survival of Judaism itself, the lesson to have faith despite all odds. These are not substitutes. i'll get back into it next year. The physical effort/customs of celebrating our holidays is not lost on me.

I like to think everyone is unique, as snowflakes are unique, each one different, each one beautiful, but each, still a snowflake, part of the genus, snowflake. I am a Jew celebrating my heritage, which is beautiful, about Torah, about Moses, about these most beautiful holidays, about tikkun olam, and about a spirituality, a stream that goes deep, into the "heart" of love itself. There is so much beauty in this spirituality, and it so deeply connects to the same well that others, not Jews, do draw upon. For me there is something of JEW in the word Jewel itself, and I see that we are jewels of God, but there are many jewels in the panoply of jewels, and I think, the joy is knowing we are one, and that we shine, in our own unique and special ways. I also see that humility in calling ourselves "special" is something we need to think about. If I were not a Jew, I might be upset about the chosen aspects of this and I am saying, we need to celebrate our uniqueness always in a context of humility that is love for the universal candle that burns for us all.

First and foremost we are unique in the relentless pursuit for the truth. The direct result is being connected to the truth which is the Almighty & his Torah. We are an eternal nation (against all odds), outliving all of our enemies & world powers. From the very beginning we were an educated & learned nation, with a system of charity to the poor, when it was strange & foreign to the world and definitely unpopular. We taught the world Equality and Justice, Love your neighbor etc. Last but not least, WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE LIVING FOR! PRICELESS!

Judaism is more than just a religion. It is a way of life. It's teachings include the importance of self-development of character, encouraging positive interpersonal relationships. This teaching alone transforms one's personal family life and may extrapolate to relationships with peers and those outside of our culture, thus having the potential to change world circumstances. Judaism is concerned not only with one's relationship with the creator, but "ben adam l'chavero" with other human beings. How unique is that?!!

What is different about Jews and being Jewish? EVERYTHING! The Greeks decreed against everything sacred and Jewish; holy places, holy times, and holy people. They took action against the Temple service and the Sabbath, the sanctification of the New Moon and all the holidays that are set by it, the priests, unwed girls, and circumcision. Everything! Why? Because they recognized Jews are different in every way; in the way we live, in the way we tell time, and the way we treat our bodies and our brethren. Chanukah is a time to give thanks for all that makes us different.

that we have so many holidays and special ocassions to celebrate- that our life is imbued with meaning!!