Well, much as I resent the usual comparisons to Christmas (Hannukah is nothing like it, really).... think of a Christmas tree. It's kind of for the kids, the family, the whole big group activity thing.
Just me this year, seems kind of pointless a waste blasphemous silly to light it for one. I'll be over at my brother's with the family half the nights anyway, they have a nice one.
As the story goes, after the Jews rebelled against some foreign oppressors and kicked them out of the country and got back our independence and our right to practice our religion without fear of being executed for it, they were gonna rededicate the Temple which had been despoiled by the bad guys. But there wasn't enough kosher olive oil to do the job-- only enough for one day. But through the grace of You Know Who, the oil kept the candles lit for eight days, enough time to get new clean oil.
We light the menorah as a remembrance of regaining our freedom from outside rule, and as a celebration of the miracle of the oil supply, and by extension as a symbol of thanking G-d for all such interventions. That is what it is 'about' yes, in theological terms.
In everyday this-is-how-you-actually-live-life terms, it's sort of a kid-friendly holiday, because we give out little gifts to each other and eat lots of delicious fried food and goodies. It's a nice thing to do with your family, with other people.
Not a whole lot, really. Bundling in for winter. Reading. Enjoying the lulls of peace and quiet between going to family gatherings. Writing apology letters.
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Just me this year, seems kind of pointless a waste blasphemous silly to light it for one. I'll be over at my brother's with the family half the nights anyway, they have a nice one.
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(The comment has been removed)
As the story goes, after the Jews rebelled against some foreign oppressors and kicked them out of the country and got back our independence and our right to practice our religion without fear of being executed for it, they were gonna rededicate the Temple which had been despoiled by the bad guys. But there wasn't enough kosher olive oil to do the job-- only enough for one day. But through the grace of You Know Who, the oil kept the candles lit for eight days, enough time to get new clean oil.
We light the menorah as a remembrance of regaining our freedom from outside rule, and as a celebration of the miracle of the oil supply, and by extension as a symbol of thanking G-d for all such interventions. That is what it is 'about' yes, in theological terms.
In everyday this-is-how-you-actually-live-life terms, it's sort of a kid-friendly holiday, because we give out little gifts to each other and eat lots of delicious fried food and goodies. It's a nice thing to do with your family, with other people.
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How's Denny?
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What have you been up to?
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Not a whole lot, really. Bundling in for winter. Reading. Enjoying the lulls of peace and quiet between going to family gatherings. Writing apology letters.
You, chief?
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I am not feeling Christmas this year, but we have the tree and such up for the boys - and for the cats to climb.
How have you been?
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Boys plural now? Did you grow another one?
Ups and downs. Hanging in there.
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My second nephew, Theodore, is now staying with us and attending college. He is eighteen.
Same here. Hanging in. Do your bookshelves need dusting? I could visit, we could have tea.
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