Hanukkah

Great for the Jewish to have their own way to celebrate the holidays. However, couldn't just one day be enough?

It's great, but I have the feeling I haven't really appreciated it fully without heading down to Ridgewalker's place for some of his world famous latkes. I'll take mine without ketchup, Ridge....

I'm not Jewish, so I completely don't understand any part of Hanukkah, except you have to say it like (Han-ni-kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkahh)

Original 12/22/08 Today is Chanukah (there's dozens of ways to spell it) in the year of 5769. Regardless of the time of year, it's a good time for Jewish families to get together and celebrate one of the happier of Jewish Holidays. It is even more joyous to me this year, as yesterday was the Winter Solstice...the shortest day of the year...which means that every day for the next six months will be longer than the day before.The down side is that Winter has just set in here in the Great Northwest and seems to stretch out before us with no end in sight and we'll just be able to see the frickin' snow for more hours every day... Oy Vey! Another Up Date: This has been a brutal Hannukkah for me this year. Red necks drowning my potato latkes with ketchup. Snow blocking out the most prolific meteor shower of the year. And finally...surrendering...at the age of 59...to the fact that Christmas does kick Hannukkah's ass. Eight days...schmeight days. We're a bunch of schmeckles sitting around eat... Read more

It is now officially after sundown, at least in Atlanta, and I want to take a moment to wish a happy Chanukah to all who celebrate. It is not a very important religious holiday in Judaism, but given its proximity to Christmas it has become more widely acknowledged among Gentiles. One of the more major secular influences would likely be the exchange of gifts. Clearly influenced by Christmas. The only religious observance is the candle lighting. Sympbolically, it is a day that brings light on the darkest day of the year. The candles are arranged in a menorah that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a shammus (servant) at a different height. On the first night, one candle is placed at the far right. The shammus candle is lit and three berakhot are recited: l'hadlik neir (a prayer over candles), she-asah nisim (a prayer thanking G-d for performing miracles for our ancestors), and she-hekhianu (a prayer of thanksgiving to G-d for allowing us to reach this time of year). After rec... Read more

Again, I love the theme of hope and light at the darkest time of year. And the latkas!

This is a minor holiday inserted as a counter to Christmas.

Im jewish and no its not. Its a holiday in wich Jews celibrate their independance from roman rule. Laugh about Jesus my eye.

Hanukkah is a lightwieght holiday for jews and which they get together and laugh about Jesus.