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Miracle and religious freedom are focus of Hanukkah
By LINDA M. LINONIS
YOUNGSTOWN
Hanukkah celebrates a miracle and religious freedom.
The eight-day festival of lights begins at sundown tonight.
The Jewish observance recalls the story of the Maccabees, who were led by Judah Maccabee in defeating the Syrian Greeks in 161 BCE (before the common era), said Rabbi Franklin Muller of Congregation Rodef Sholom. Judah Maccabee led his small force to victory over a larger opponent and won religious freedom.
But when the Jews returned to the temple, they found it in shambles, the rabbi said. The Maccabees wanted to rededicate the temple but found just a small jar of oil that was enough for only one day. The miracle was that the oil lasted for eight days to light the lamps, until it could be replenished.
Rabbi Muller said the nine-branch menorah is used at Hanukkah; it has eight candles or lights and one servant candle. The menorah that is lighted year-round in the synagogue is the “symbol of Judaism,” Rabbi Muller said, and it has seven branches.
The gift shop at Rodef Sholom features an array of items for Hanukkah and other Jewish and life observances.
Though the traditional menor- ah is often in brass, modern menorahs are made in ceramic, lucite and stained glass, to name a few materials, said Darlene Muller, who oversees the gift shop. She is the rabbi’s wife. Some menorahs use candles while others are electric.
“Menorahs come in different designs — sports, weddings, for children, cooks and for the family with photo holder,” she said.
“Mensch on a bench” is the Jewish takeoff of “elf on a shelf,” Rabbi Muller said. The mensch, a good person, watches over the menorah.
Rabbi Muller said the dreidel game is a well-known Jewish activity at Hanukkah. It’s a top that spins and has four Hebrew letters on it. The symbols relay the message “a great miracle happened there.”
Hanukkah is a minor Jewish observance, Rabbi Muller said, but has become much bigger in the United States. It is not biblical.
Rabbi Muller said the books of the Maccabees are in the Apocrypha, extra biblical books that are not canonical in Hebrew and Christian scriptures. “The Maccabees’ story was preserved by Christians,” the rabbi said.
He said Hanukkah “brings light into the darkest days of winter.”
Though the synagogue had what it called a gift shop, the rabbi admitted it was “dormant.” Darlene Muller revamped it about five years ago, and it’s become a place to stop and shop.
A new addition is the Mishe Bearach, a small teddy bear that comes with a healing prayer. “People love it — from children to adults,” Darlene Muller said. She said she and the rabbi saw similar bears on a trip to California and now have them at the gift shop. “They give comfort,” she said.
Darlene Muller said the gift shop is open to the community, a place where Judaic items are available. There are items for babies, children, bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, giftware and jewelry. “We have practical to fun stuff,” she said.
There’s a potato latke kit, a good gift for Hanukkah, when latkes are on the menu. Latkes and jelly doughnuts, both fried in oil, recall the miracle of the oil in the temple.
Latkes, prepared by Rodef Sholom Brotherhood, will be featured at a pot-luck Hanukkah dinner Friday preceded by a service. Entertainment will be “Rodef Sholom’s Got Talent.”