Posted on 12/18/2003 6:30:28 AM PST by carlo3b
HAPPY HANUKKAH ". . . and May This Festival of Lights bring Blessings
upon you and All Your Loved Ones for Happiness,
for Health, and for Spiritual and Material Wealth,
and May the Lights of Chanukah Usher in the Light of Moshiach
and a Better World for All of Humankind."The Victory over Antiochus
More than 2000 years ago, the land of Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a tyrannical Syrian king. Even today, people fight wars over their gods, despite claims to value "religious tolerance." But a couple of thousand years ago, religious tolerance didn't exist at all. Religion was as good an excuse as any to oppress a people.
That's precisely what Antiochus did to the Jews: he forbade them to observe the Sabbath or study their religious text, the Torah, and he erected a statue of Zeus in their sacred temple of Jerusalem. Many Jews followed his decrees, because they had no choice; those who resisted were executed.
In 167 B.C., the Jews -- driven to desperation -- rose up against Antiochus. Mattathias, a well-respected priest, gathered together an army and put his five sons in charge. Judah and his brothers wanted a name for their battalion that would signify force and strength; "Maccabee", meaning "hammer", fit the bill. It took three years of fighting, but eventually the Maccabees drove the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the temple in Jerusalem.
Naturally, the Maccabees quickly got rid of the statue of Zeus. Then they cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a candelabra that symbolized God's Divine Presence. Oddly enough, although it only held enough oil to burn for a single day, the menorah burned for eight. This was the miracle.
HANUKKAH CUSTOMS: THE MENORAH
About the Menorah
To Jews and non-Jews alike, the menorah, or Hanukkiya, is the most recognizable symbol of Hanukkah. It's usually a nine-branch candelabrum whose candles are lit by a "shamash" or service candle which then takes its own place at the centre of the menorah. The menorah itself is placed in a window or anywhere it can be seen by passers-by.Lighting the Menorah
On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle (or oil wick) is lit on the far right side of the menorah. A candle is added, from right to left, each night, and the newest candle is always lit first. Ideally, the candles should be lit as soon as stars become visible in the night sky, but they can be lit late into the night. While the candles are being lit and the blessing given, the whole family and any guests gather to witness the ceremony; everyone is encouraged to participate. By the eighth night, with all eight candles lit, the menorah makes a spectacular sight. And as they did the previous evenings, the candles will continue to shine until they burn themselves out.The Blessing
The first blessing thanks God for the commandment to "kindle the Hanukkah lights."Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-olam Asher Kidshanu B'mitzvotav V'tzivanu L'hadlik Ner Shel Hanukkah.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, by whose Mitzvot we are hallowed, who commands us to kindle the Hanukkah lights.The second blessing praises God for the miracle the candles symbolize; it's said as the candles are being lit.
Baruch Atah Adonia Elohenu Melech Ha-olam She-asa Nissim L'votenu Bayamim Ha-hem Ba-ZmanHa-zeh.
Blessed is Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, who performed wonderous deeds for our ancestors in days of old, at this season.
On the first night of Hanukkah the "shehechiyanu" blessing is included, to signify that this is the first time the Hanukkah lights have been lit this season.Hanukkah is a "Festival of Lights" to celebrate the victory of the Jewish Maccabees over the Syrians, and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The holiday also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.
That recipe sounds wonderful, and I always have at least one cauliflower in the fridge now that I am on Low Carb. I'll enjoy this baby while the kids are over next week.. Thanks so much.. Happy Holidays
Backatcha pilgrim.. LOL . :)
Magical Fortune Cookies Prepare "fortune," poems or love notes to include in cookies. Cut or fold the paper so that it's approximately 1 inch by 3 inches.
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup salad oil
- 1/2 cup egg whites (whites of about 4 large eggs)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons vanilla
Mix all the dry ingredients together. Then add oil and egg whites, beating until smooth. Beat in water and vanilla. Drop 1/3 cup of batter onto a greased baking sheet and spread evenly into a 10-inch circle. Bake only one or two at a time in a 300-degree oven for about 14 minutes or until light golden brown. (If underbaked, cookie will tear during shaping.) With a wide spatula, remove one cookie at a time from the oven.
Working quickly, flip the baked cookie onto your hand. (Use a towel or wear cotton gloves to keep the cookie from sticking to your hand). Place a fortune in the center of cookie and fold it in half. Do not crease the cookie. Then fold the two ends of the cookie toward each other and hold together for a couple of minutes while the cookie becomes firm. Repeat steps until all the batter is used.
Makes six large fortune cookies.
2 Cups Bread Crumbs
1 Cup Water
2 Chopped Onions
1 Tbsp. Salt
2 Eggs, beaten
Pepper to taste
1 Cup Popcorn (un-popped)
Sage to taste
Stuff and roast at 425°. It will be done when the popcorn blows the butt off the turkey.
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