December 11-19, 2009

THE STORY

In 175 B.C.E. Antiochus IV, the Syrian king, insisted that all Jews become Greek. Some Jews converted or assimilated into Greek life, but those who refused to bow to the statue of Zeus were killed.

In 167 B.C.E., Syrian soldiers met with Mattathias in the mountain village of Modin, in Israel. Mattathias was an elderly and respected Jewish priest who had five sons. The soldiers somehow coaxed Mattathias and his sons, the Maccabees, to an altar with a statue of Zeus. The soldiers wanted Mattathias to not only bow to the statue, but to also kill and eat a pig. Mattathias refused.

Suddenly, a villager, who was swayed by the Greek ways, approached the statue, ready to bow. Mattathias was angered at the villager’s betrayal and struck and killed him. Then Mattathias yelled “Whoever is for God, follow me!” And with that, he and his sons (known as the Maccabees, which means “hammers”) and a group of followers fled to the mountains to plan their attach on Antiochus.

A battle occurred between the small Maccabee army and the immense Syrian army. Miraculously the Maccabees won.

On the twenty-fifth of Kislev, 165 B.C.E. the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to find the Temple had been desecrated. They set about the massive task of cleaning and rebuilding, only to find there was only a drop of oil left for the lamp (menorah). Again, miraculously, that one drop lasted for eight days, enough time to restore the Temple.

So Hanukah is not about the victory, but about miracles—the miracles occur when people have the spirit and the strength to believe and fight for what is right and just.

THE MENORAH

The menorah (also known as a hanukkiyah) holds nine candles — eight to designate each day of Hanukah and the ninth (or shammas) which is used to light the others. Candles are placed right to left (the way we read Hebrew), but are lit left to right (the way we read English). Therefore, on the eighth night, you place the candles in starting at the right, but begin to light the candle at the left first.

The menorah is let at nightfall (and before the Shabbat candles on Friday night). We recite two blessings over the candles, and add a third blessing, the Shehehiyanu, on the first night. The blessings are:

Baruh atah adonai, eloheinu meleh ha-olam, asher kidushanu b’mitzvotav vitivanu l’kadlik ner shel Hanukkah.

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has made us holy with Your commandments and has commanded us to kindle the light of Hanukkah.

Baruh atah adonai, eloheinu meleh ha-olam, she-asah nissim lavotanu ba-yamim hahem bazman hazeh.

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days, at this time.

And on the first night add:

Baruh atah adonai, eloheinu meleh ha-olam, shehehiyanu ve-kiymanu vehigianu lazman hazeh.

Blessed art Thou, Lord our God, King of the Universe, Who keeps us alive and sustains us and enables us to reach this day.

DREIDEL GAME

It is traditional to play for nuts or small coins (we like to use the chocolate gelt).

The dreidel is a small top with four sides. On each side is a Hebrew letter. These letters, nun, gimel, hey, shin, are the first letters in the words Nes gadol hayah sham which means “A great miracle happened there.”

To play the game, each player throws whatever you are gambling for (let’s say, gelt) into a pile. Then each player takes a turn spinning the dreidel and then acts according to the letter exposed when the dreidel stops. This is what each letter means:

Nun: do nothing
Gimel: Take the whole pile
Hey: Take half the pile
Shin: Add to the pile from your gelt

As players run out of gelt, they are out of the game. The player who lasts the longest wins.

Learn the results of our chocolate gelt taste test!

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RECIPES

Potato Latkes
See video of Meredith making latkes

These are the best! Here’s the secret—use two spoons. Use one spoon to scoop the batter. Then, take the second spoon and flatten the batter on the first spoon (press the spoons together as if you were stacking them). Then gently slide the pancake into the hot oil. This makes the pancake just the right thickness to make them crispy! Ummmmmmm.

Ingredients:
2 pound russet potatoes, peeled and placed in a bowl of ice water
1/3 cup grated onion (optional—but recommended!)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt, plus additional to taste
freshly ground black pepper
canola or peanut oil, as needed for frying

Directions:

Line a large baking sheet with paper towels. If serving the pancakes immediately, preheat the oven to 200 degrees.

Have a large bowl of ice water ready. Using a hand grater, grate the potatoes. As the potatoes are grated, transfer them to the bowl of water. When all of the potatoes are grated, set aside for 5 minutes. Drain the shredded potatoes in a large colander, rinsing with cold water. Transfer to a clean bowl. Add the onion, if using, the eggs and flour. Add salt and pepper to taste. Using a large spoon or your hands thoroughly combine the mixture.

Meanwhile, in a large, preferably straight-sided, frying or sauté pan, add enough oil to read ¼ to 1/3-inch deep. Heat until a shred of potato dropped in the oil sizzles immediately.

Using 2 tablespoons from a regular silverware set, form the pancakes. Scoop up a generous spoonful of the potato mixture with 1 spoon, flatten the mixture. Slide the pancake into the oil. Repeat until the pan is full, but not crowded. Cook the pancakes until browned to your liking on the first side. Using a spatula or 2 forks, turn the pancakes over and cook until done. Transfer the finished pancakes to the lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining mixture.

If serving the pancakes immediately, transfer the sheet to the preheated oven to keep warm. You can also cool and then freeze the latkes for later. Reheat in 350 degree oven.

 

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