Happy Hanukkah!

I love Hanukkah.  Getting to light the candles every night in remembrance of the Maccabee-led revolt against Antiochus Epiphanes and his army, and the victory G-d gave to His people, is a big blessing.  I'm not big on doing presents, or eating lots of latkes, donuts, and other fried foods as is customary.  I prefer to light the candles and thank G-d for watching over His people, for holding onto the promise He gave to Abraham.

Here's a synopsis of the story of Hanukkah:
In Israel, there was this stinkin' mean Greek named Antiochus Epiphanes ("the illumined").  He desecrated the Temple by taking all the holy implements for himself, sacrificing a pig on the altar, and installing a statue of Zeus in the Temple.  The circumcision of baby boys was banned; anyone caught performing a circumcision was immediately put to death, as well as the baby and its mother.  The Jews were no longer allowed to observe Shabbat or read the Torah.  Talk about a tyrant!  Three men, the Maccabees, wouldn't take this tyranny sitting down, so they led a revolt against Antiochus.  Even with odds at one hundred-to-one, the Maccabean army was victorious, and eventually took back the land, cleaning up the Temple and rededicating it.  Legend has it that only one druze of oil, enough to last a day, lasted eight, allowing the people time to get more oil to keep the Temple menorah lit.

The Hebrew letters on the dreidel stand for "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham – "a great miracle happened there".  It's a really fun game to play and is very easy: you start with a pot of gelt (chocolate coins) or any candy (I recommend M&Ms!).  Each player takes a turn spinning the dreidel; if it lands on Nun, you get nothing; if it lands on Gimel, you get everything in the pot; if it lands on Hei, you take half of what is in the pot; if it lands on Shin, you add a piece of candy to the pot.  Very fun!

In honor of Hanukkah, I did two separate manis.  I may  not do any more, because I'm kind of running out of ideas!  It would be cool to do one honoring the Maccabees and those who fought for their faith and for G-d.

To all those celebrating Hanukkah, chag sameach!  Happy holiday :-)