Well, much as I resent the usual comparisons to Christmas (Hannukah is nothing like it, really).... think of a Christmas tree. It's kind of for the kids, the family, the whole big group activity thing.
Just me this year, seems kind of pointless a waste blasphemous silly to light it for one. I'll be over at my brother's with the family half the nights anyway, they have a nice one.
As the story goes, after the Jews rebelled against some foreign oppressors and kicked them out of the country and got back our independence and our right to practice our religion without fear of being executed for it, they were gonna rededicate the Temple which had been despoiled by the bad guys. But there wasn't enough kosher olive oil to do the job-- only enough for one day. But through the grace of You Know Who, the oil kept the candles lit for eight days, enough time to get new clean oil.
We light the menorah as a remembrance of regaining our freedom from outside rule, and as a celebration of the miracle of the oil supply, and by extension as a symbol of thanking G-d for all such interventions. That is what it is 'about' yes, in theological terms.
In everyday this-is-how-you-actually-live-life terms, it's sort of a kid-friendly holiday, because we give out little gifts to each other and eat lots of delicious fried food and goodies. It's a nice thing to do with your family, with other people.
No, I'm heading over to my brother's house to shmooze with the rest of the family for at least several nights this week. I'll watch someone light it over there.
Just saying I'm not lighting my own in my apartment.
It's weird, yeah, but when does that stop you from doing anything, boychik.
What are you giving me? Because I still have veto right on anything over $20 in value. And the traditional present for Hannukah tends to be.... socks. Underwear. Horribly unglamorous useful things.
Fantastic, great, good for you if you shower each other with Corvettes or whatever. Newsflash, my faigelah darling: I am not part of your family, and I'm asking you not to spend more than $20 on me because it would bother me if you did so. Okay?
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Just me this year, seems kind of pointless a waste blasphemous silly to light it for one. I'll be over at my brother's with the family half the nights anyway, they have a nice one.
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(The comment has been removed)
As the story goes, after the Jews rebelled against some foreign oppressors and kicked them out of the country and got back our independence and our right to practice our religion without fear of being executed for it, they were gonna rededicate the Temple which had been despoiled by the bad guys. But there wasn't enough kosher olive oil to do the job-- only enough for one day. But through the grace of You Know Who, the oil kept the candles lit for eight days, enough time to get new clean oil.
We light the menorah as a remembrance of regaining our freedom from outside rule, and as a celebration of the miracle of the oil supply, and by extension as a symbol of thanking G-d for all such interventions. That is what it is 'about' yes, in theological terms.
In everyday this-is-how-you-actually-live-life terms, it's sort of a kid-friendly holiday, because we give out little gifts to each other and eat lots of delicious fried food and goodies. It's a nice thing to do with your family, with other people.
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Just saying I'm not lighting my own in my apartment.
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It's weird, yeah, but when does that stop you from doing anything, boychik.
What are you giving me? Because I still have veto right on anything over $20 in value. And the traditional present for Hannukah tends to be.... socks. Underwear. Horribly unglamorous useful things.
....you are not allowed to buy me underwear.
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Fine. Just remember: under twenty bucks. Also, the real traditional gift is money. *winks*
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Uh-huh.
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Yes. Precisely.
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Fantastic, great, good for you if you shower each other with Corvettes or whatever. Newsflash, my faigelah darling: I am not part of your family, and I'm asking you not to spend more than $20 on me because it would bother me if you did so. Okay?
Reply
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