(footnote)

2100 years ago a band of Jews defeated the Greek army

And drove them off their land, reclaiming the holy temple

In Jerusalem and rededicating it to the service of god.

when they sought to light the temples menorah

They found only a single cruse of olive oil that

escaped contamination by the Greeks.

Miraculously the one day supply lasted eight days.

The sages instituted the festival of Chanukah

To publicize these miracles.

The Dreidel which is a four sided top with a

Hebrew letter on each side which means

“ a great miracle happened here”

was used later on in the years to give thanks to god

Without the enemy knowing that they were praying.

Chanukah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev .

Chanukah is probably one of the best known Jewish holidays , not because of any great religious significance, but because of its proximity to Christmas. Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar.

Christmas and Chanukah are known world wide

But these two faiths do not collide.

They walk hand in hand

For they came out of the promised land.

You see : the son of god was born a Jew

The Romans felt this was taboo.

No other religion could exist

This was controlled by the Romans fist.

JESUS preached in synagogues throughout the lands

Something that the Romans did withstand.

His own people wanted his death

But little did they know

That with this- a new faith would grow.

The cross on which he died became a symbol

Of Christianity, and that’s the way

God meant it to be.

Chanukah is eight days of giving while the Christian

Holiday is just one day ,but during these

holidays we all kneel and pray.

We give GOD thanks for all the beauties of the earth

And for family and friends, and it is something

That will never end.

As long as man holds a belief in their hearts

And faith,-then all will be overcome and

Let GODS will be done.

© L . RAMS