INTRODUCTION 
Explain that Hanukkah is a holiday much like the Fourth of July. It celebrates the end of a long war between the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, and the Persian Empire. When the Maccabees finally defeated the Persian army in 165 b.c., they rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah means rededication. Tradition says that when the rededication ceremony began, an oil lamp was filled with the only oil available. That small amount of oil lasted a full eight days, long enough to produce more so that the light never went out. In honor of that miracle candles are lit for eight nights on a menorah, and foods cooked in oil (latkes and donuts, for example) are eaten.
POEM
Hanukkah Lights
By J. Patrick Lewis
Verse:
Let the miracle and aura
Of eight lights from that menorah
Lit from one small vial of oil
Call the faithful from their toil.
Chorus:
As each house begins its glowing,
People coming, people going
Make a time—the overthrowing,
The defeat of the invaders.
People born in every nation
Celebrate our liberation.
Verses:
Let us keep the promise simple:
To rededicate the Temple
With a symbol to inspire
Peace and Freedom—candlefire.
Let no enemies destroy us
In a season turning joyous,
For it’s Hanukkah that’s bringing
Children laughing, children singing.
But let every child remember
That this festival December,
So enriching a revival,
Is a hymn to our survival.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A., ed. 1998. A HANUKKAH TREASURY. Illustrated by Emily Lisker. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805052933
EXTENSION
During the Spanish Inquisition it was a capital offense to practice Judaism. Jews who wished to pray together pretended to be gambling with a little top with markings on four sides. Remembering their bravery, people still play with dreidels on Hanukkah. Teach everyone the game and let them play.
Explain that Hanukkah is a holiday much like the Fourth of July. It celebrates the end of a long war between the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, and the Persian Empire. When the Maccabees finally defeated the Persian army in 165 b.c., they rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah means rededication. Tradition says that when the rededication ceremony began, an oil lamp was filled with the only oil available. That small amount of oil lasted a full eight days, long enough to produce more so that the light never went out. In honor of that miracle candles are lit for eight nights on a menorah, and foods cooked in oil (latkes and donuts, for example) are eaten.
POEM
Hanukkah Lights
By J. Patrick Lewis
Verse:
Let the miracle and aura
Of eight lights from that menorah
Lit from one small vial of oil
Call the faithful from their toil.
Chorus:
As each house begins its glowing,
People coming, people going
Make a time—the overthrowing,
The defeat of the invaders.
People born in every nation
Celebrate our liberation.
Verses:
Let us keep the promise simple:
To rededicate the Temple
With a symbol to inspire
Peace and Freedom—candlefire.
Let no enemies destroy us
In a season turning joyous,
For it’s Hanukkah that’s bringing
Children laughing, children singing.
But let every child remember
That this festival December,
So enriching a revival,
Is a hymn to our survival.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kimmel, Eric A., ed. 1998. A HANUKKAH TREASURY. Illustrated by Emily Lisker. New York: Henry Holt. ISBN 0805052933
EXTENSION
During the Spanish Inquisition it was a capital offense to practice Judaism. Jews who wished to pray together pretended to be gambling with a little top with markings on four sides. Remembering their bravery, people still play with dreidels on Hanukkah. Teach everyone the game and let them play.
Photo courtesy of http://images.search.yahoo.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment