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Light Five Candles
FIVE POINTS ABOUT CHANUKAH ON THE FIFTH
NIGHT
Tonight is the fifth night of Chanukah. We light five candles
and say two Blessings on this night. First we light the server
candle "The Shamis Candle" in the center to use as
a lighter for our fifth, fourth,
third, second and first candles on the right. We light the fifth
candle first then the fourth then the third, then the second
and then we light the first candle on the far right last.
First Blessing over the lighting of the
candle...
Blessed are you O L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who has
sanctified us through His commandments and commanded us to kindle
the Chanukah lights.
Second Blessing in remerance of the miracles...
Blessed are you O L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who brought
miracles for our ancestors, in those days at this time {of year}.
What Were the Maccabees Fighting For?
by Rabbi Nachum Braverman
Aish HaTorah Los Angeles
( modified and used without permission )
I. ASSIMILATION
It is ironic that Chanukah is so widely observed in America,
because itís not clear that Jews today would side with
the Maccabees. The Jews didnít battle the Greeks for political
independence and Chanukah canít be recast as an early-day
version of Israel against the Arabs. Chanukah commemorates a
religious war. The Greeks were benevolent rulers bringing civilization
and progress wherever they conquered. They were ecumenical and
tolerant, creating a pantheon of gods into which they accepted
the deities of all their subjects. Their only demand was acculturation
into the melting pot of Greek civilization and religion.
The Jewish community was divided in response
to this appeal. Some believed assimilation as a positive and
modernizing influence and they welcomed the release from Jewish
parochialism. Led by Judah Maccabee was a small group opposed
to the Greek ideal, and prepared to fight and die to preserve
the exclusive worship of Judaism. (The name "Maccabee"
is an acronym for the Torah verse "Who is like you among
the gods, A-mighty.")
This was no war for abstract principles of
religious tolerance. It was a battle against ecumenicism fought
by people to whom Torah was their life and breath.Today Chanukah
calls to us to combat assimilation in America and to fight for
our heritage.
II PASSIVE ACQUIESCE
There were many who passively acquiesced. What is the use in
opposing the force of history, they reasoned. We canít
halt assimilation any more than we can stop the ocean tides or
the passage of the seasons. Who would be so foolish as to oppose
the inevitable? What chance do we have of convincing our children
not to intermarry? Jewish particularism is a past value swept
away on the waves of liberalism. With the barriers of anti-Semitism
down and the land of opportunity beckoning, the day of cohesive
Jewish community seems gone. It ís with resignation that
we accept the spiraling intermarriage rate which spells our destruction
as a people.
III CHANUKAH IS A VICTORY OVER ASSIMILATION
Remember the end of the story? Finally triumphant, Jews captured
Jerusalem and
rededicated the Temple. (The word Chanukah means dedication and
refers to this act.)
They found just one flask of oil but the flame which should have
lasted one day burned for
eight. It testified that our determination was enhanced by some
ineffable power suffusing
our efforts with transcendent glow and power. Light the candles,
says the holiday to us. Act vigorously, teach, reach. Courageously
and with determination. And G-d will invest our
efforts with a power, permanence, and glow -- far beyond our
capacity to convey.
IV MIXED TIDES OF CHANUKAH AND XMAS
It's one of those quirks of the calendar: Chanukah and Xmas almost
always coincide in December. The advertising industry will make
sure that you don't forget it. As a result, many will be caught
up in the mix of tides coming from Judaism and Christianity.
This is but a minute reflection of many of
the paradoxes served up by the American melting pot. So why not
hold it up to the light of history to see what the facts really
are? You owe it to yourself before you dive into those December
parties.
You could be fooled if you consider some superficial
similarities: Two thousand years ago in ancient Israel under
the occupation of an oppressive foreign power, a small family
stands up for itself and launches a spiritual revolt. Armed with
the belief that G-d is on their side, they succeed in establishing
a new religious identity. As a symbol of the miraculous nature
of their victory, a new holiday is instituted that revolves around
candles and light. Not merely one night of celebrations, but
more than a week of joyous, glowing, holiday lights. Once again,
the Jewish people proves that it is a "Light Unto The Nations."
You see what I mean? It's easy to confuse
the Maccabees with the early Christians. So much for the history.
For many young Jews today, Chanukah is joyously combined with
Xmas to produce such observances as Chanukah Bushes, Christmas
menorahs, Xmas Chanukah gifts, Chanukah Xmas parties and celebrations.
As more and more Jews intermarry, these things become accepted
as the norm and the true meanings and origins of both religions
are completely ignored.
V THE PARADOX OF TANGLED RELIGIONS
A nice, happy connection is made where none ever existed. Consider
the facts:
For two thousand years, there was never a connection between
Xmas and Chanukah because they were celebrated by two different
religions. Christians somehow saw Jews as Christ-killers (not
saviors) and heretics; hence the blood-baths of the Inquisition,
blood libels, pogroms, and finally, the Holocaust. Way before
the American "melting pot, - the European "beheading
pot" existed with mostly Jewish skulls floating around in
it.
The strongest argument against mixed Jewish
and Christian celebrations comes from modern day, Chanukah-like
occurences. As American Jews enjoying the greatest liberties
ever enjoyed by Jews in their 2000 year exile from their true
homeland in Israel, we should ponder well the fate that awaits
us if we choose to emulate the "mainstream" as opposed
to the message of the "few against the many." This
Chanukah, make sure you move into the correct light.
Happy Chanukah!
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