Let there be light

Happy Hanukkah.

After sunset on this sixth of the eight-day Festival of Lights, observers light six candles on the menorah in dedication; the word "Chanukkah" or "Hanukkah" derives from the Hebrew verb meaning "to dedicate."

What dedication? The meaning runs deeper than a simple story of physical illumination. On the surface, it's the story of a miracle more than 2,000 years ago: a simple, temple flame fed by no more than a day's oil, which somehow lasted eight more nights. Deeper in the flame of Hanukkah lies a memory of the dedication of that relocated and desecrated Second Temple in Jerusalem - an effort to spare the faithful from a Syrian king who tried to eradicate their faith. The conquered Jews in Judea had been ordered to worship Greek gods.

Beneath this memory is the core of the flame, the dedication of faith and perseverance which is the broadest meaning not only of Hanukkah, but many others who struggled against oppression throughout history. Many others like the Maccabees rose up against overwhelming odds - a larger and better armed force violently attempting to eradicate or control a people, religion, or way of life. In that sense the story resonates with North America's own origins and, sadly, too many modern struggles against oppression worldwide.

Hanukkah is about standing up for one's convictions.

Each of the evenly spaced and leveled candles of the menorah (except the ninth lighting candle, which may be centered and higher), known in Hebrew as the "hanukiah," is lit nightly after sundown, with the saying of certain blessings. The displays in the window are to remind others of the miracle. Traditional Hanukkah foods (potato latkes - yum) are fried in oil, again representing the miracle oil which lasted beyond what seemed possible. Other customs include gift exchange and playing dreidel games.

Dreidel is from the Yiddish, "drehen," which means to turn ("sevivon" or "savov" in Hebrew, same meaning). Generally wooden, it's a four-sided, spinning top with a Hebrew letter on each side. Each letter represents one word of "Nes Gadol Haya Sham/Ho," or "A miracle happened there/here" (dreidels made for outside/inside Israel). Children generally spin for small prizes.

The candles are left burning until they go out on their own, like the original Hanukiah.

"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." - Gautama Buddha (563 - 483 B.C.E.)

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Email her at [email protected].