As Christmas and the Festival of Lights coincide only four times a century this year we’re celebrating Jesus and a Happy Hanukkah.
If the prophecies were right then it was on Kislev 25, 3757, or 5BC, that the Light of the World emerged.
Six hundred years after the Maccabi recovered Jerusalem and the Second Temple was rededicated.
Jesus being a Jew he would naturally have celebrated Hanukkah with Mary, Joseph and his siblngs.
And the Gospel of St John cites Jesus in the temple telling Jews: ‘I and the Father are one.’
Hanukkah holidays
All of which Sabbath lesson for the day brings us round to Hanukkah holidays.
Now the good news is that they last eight days, roughly the same time frame as your average family holiday.
Jewish families, and friends, have been gathering to light one additional candle in the menorah multibranched candelabra.
To replicate the actions of the Maccabi in entering the temple way back then when they made a little oil go a long, long way.
Diaspora around world
Now the Jewish diaspora has led to slight variations on the agreed customs.
So look out in your part of the world, and bear in mind that just like the Irish and the Scots Jews have enriched the whole planet.
We are grateful here to our friends at Reform Judaism for sharing some of the differences from near and far.
Which we will give you a tchotchke, or trinket of, to impress your Jewish pals.
Aleppo to Africa
Now Syrians of all shades and faiths don’t have their troubles to seek but Syrian Jews have long been resilient to the challenges.
The Jews of Aleppo descend from Sephardic Jews expelled from Spain in 1492.
They light an additional shamash (helper candle) on Hanukkah as a sign of thanks.
And in solidarity with refugees who have fled their homes in search of shelter and peace.
And for Kurds they have a take on the giving of Hanukkah gelt, but with a twist.
A week before the holiday, children lock the doors to their rooms and their parents must give them coins to get in!
More is always more in exotic Morocco and they have a ninth day where children collect leftover candles.
They then throw them on a bonfire where the grown-ups jump over them and wish for a partner or to get pregnant.
Vin and games
It’s not surprising to find French Jews blend in the country’s vintage into their customs.
With the celebrants of Avignon ending the Shabbat that falls during Hanukkah by opening a new bottle or cask of wine.
After Havdalah, the end of Shanbat, Jews travel the neighborhood to various homes, tasting the wines and toasting the holiday.
Similarly Mexicans blend in local mores to their celebrations, in their games.
And often break a dreidel-shaped piñata filled with Hanukkah trinkets and treats.
In the Promised Land
Of course, every Jew would want to be in The Promised Land for Hanukkah.
Cantor Evan Kent eulogises about Hanukkah as every pleasure is multiplied as opposed to the sacrifice of other holy days.
And particularly ‘the sufganiyot which help the atmosphere as it’s impossible to be in a bad mood while eating a jelly donut.’
And who’s to say a certain Nazarene carpenter 2,000 years ago didn’t do the same with his family.
Worth thinking about as we join in celebrating Jesus and a Happy Hanukkah.
