“We are surrounded by light, but we have to make an effort to let it illuminate our lives.”
This year due to the phase of the lunar cycle, the Jewish holiday Chanukah starts on the evening of November 27. In the Jewish calendar, the new day starts on the evening to follow the process of creation described in the Torah.
“God called to the light “Day” and to the darkness He called “Night”. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.”—Genesis 1/5
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the next day, November 28th—this is where it seems the similarities end. (In 2016, Chanukah will fall on December 24th – January 1st. This will give me the opportunity to write about what Chanukah has in common with Christmas.) The next Thanksgivukkah will be in 77,798 years—called Chanukiah.
Many have seen the large menorah, in Union Square in San Francisco. It contains one which is lit every night during the 8 days of the holiday. At home, most people have menorahs that use candles.
The common food for Chanukah is latkes or potato pancakes, which are fried in oil. The connection with the oil has to do with the events which happened in 167 BC.
At that time, the Greek army occupied the Holy Land, and desecrated the Holy Temple, and attempted to force Hellenity, a Godless lifestyle, on the Jewish inhabitants.
A small Jewish army led by the Maccabees, liberated the temple and found one small container of pure and undefiled olive oil, which was miraculously enough to light all seven branches of the Menorah for 8 days, while new oil was harvested and produced.
The word Chanukah means dedication and the holiday is called “The Festival of Lights”.
The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving holiday, after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. But the holiday became an annual tradition in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thursday, November 26th the national day of Thanksgiving. That led to the first celebration and the history of the Pilgrims (and the history of the United States of America), who escaped from the religious oppression in England. Different times in place and history, the same theme—the desire to be free from those who try to impose new rules and traditions that change our way of living.
On January 10, 2014, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is going to implement their new invention—The Quality Mortgages (QM), which is just an additional way to control the mortgage business. In anticipation, many banks that could live without mortgage originations have left the field. In my life, I’ve experienced many storms. Bullying cannot last for long and this one shall pass. Meanwhile, if you or someone you know is concerned about these changes—ask them to call me.
What both holidays have in common is the spirit of the celebration of freedom.
Let’s do just that…CELEBRATE!
P.S.
There is something else all these holidays have in common—there is a tradition on Chanukah to give presents. When we came to America, our children tricked us by telling us that presents have to be given every day during Chanukah. (They claim they were told about this in school.)
Everyone knows that the Friday after Thanksgiving is called “Black Friday”. All stores have sales. This year to follow Jewish tradition, Black Friday will actually start at 8pm on Thursday evening. All photos were taken on November 27th, 2009 (Union Square)—Black Friday.
Do Not Keep Me as a Secret.
SMILE AND PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A FRIEND