Let’s Celebrate C


hanukah, also called the Feast of Dedication, is a celebration of God’s faithfulness and deliver-


ance. Te events the holiday commemo- rates took place during the intertestamen- tal period, in approximately 165 B.C. Although not a mo’ed, one of the bib-


lically commanded feasts or appointed times mentioned in Leviticus 23, Chanu- kah celebrates a very important deliver- ance of God. In John 10, Yeshua is noted having been in Jerusalem in the Temple for the Feast of Dedication—Chanukah, which is appropriate, as this event was es- sential for Messiah to come. Te Temple and the priesthood had to be restored to Israel for the dramatic redemption story to have taken place. As with all Jewish holidays, the cus-


toms tell a story and teach the next gen- eration about the faithfulness of the God of Israel, fulfilling Deuteronomy 6.


Te overriding themes of this holi-


day are the the victory of light over dark- ness, the faithfulness of God to those who refuse to compromise, and dedication, which is what the Hebrew word Chanu- kah means. Two foods have become synonymous


with Chanukah: Latkes, or potato pan- cakes; and Sufganiyot, jelly-filled dough- nuts. Te doughnuts are more popular in Israel—in America and Europe potato pancakes are more common. Tese foods are fried in large quantities of oil—an ex- travagance in times and places of priva- tion. With this element we recount the story for our children of the brave Macca- bees, who had to trust God to extend one day’s sanctified oil to burn for eight when they recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. It was not enough to expel the pagan ruler, Antiochus Epiphanes, and his hordes, the Temple of God was defiled and needed to


Traditional Chanukah Recipes The festival of lights! It’s time for Latkes and Sufganiyot. Oil-fried foods are symbolic of the lamp oil in the Chanukah story.


Preparing foods cooked in copious amounts of oil symbolizes our trust in God to supply this precious commodity. Traditional Latkes (laht’ kes), potato pancakes, are eaten with applesauce and/or sour cream. This may be the entire meal or


may be accompanied by matzo ball soup, salad, roast chicken, and veggies of choice. Dessert may be homemade Sufganiyot (soof’ gahn yote), jelly-filled doughnuts, the standard Israeli Chanukah fare. A new addition is the ever-popular sugar cookie decorated as stars of David, dreidels, and chanukiahs.


Sarah’s Traditional Latkes (Serves 3-4)


INGREDIENTS q 2 cups peeled and shredded potatoes q 1 grated onion q 3 eggs, beaten q 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour q 1 1/2 teaspoons salt q 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper q vegetable oil (not canola or olive oil—will not produce crisp patties)


DIRECTIONS 1. Drain excess moisture from the shredded potato. 2. In a medium bowl stir the potatoes, onion, eggs, flour, and seasoning together. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until hot. Place large


spoonfuls of the potato mixture into the hot oil, pressing down lightly to form 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick patties. Turn when brown and crisp, and brown on the other side. Replace oil as needed. Allow to drain on paper towels. Serve hot!


14 | Jewish Voice Today NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2010 www.JewishVoiceToday.org


be cleansed and dedicated anew for God to inhabit. Each evening as the sun sets we


light the chanukiah, the nine-branched menorah, in memory of this miracle of provision, using the ninth candle, the shamash—or servant candle, to light the rest, adding one more each night until on the eighth night the entire chanukiah is ablaze. What a picture of Yeshua, the Light of the World! “In him was life; and that life was the light of men” (John 1:4).


Traditional Chanukah Blessing A traditional blessing accompanies


the chanukiah lighting: “Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheynu Melech ha-olam. A- sher kid-shah-noo, b’mitz-votav, vitzee- vah-noo L’had-leek ner shel Chanukah. Blessed are You, Lord our God.


Who has sanctified us by your Com- mandments and blessed us to kindle the lights of Chanukah.”


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