December 8, 2004
THE HANUKKAH BUSH
I send greetings to all those celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights.Yesterday on NPR, I heard them describe Hanukkah as a celebration of the Israelite's victory over the Syrians. Even for a conservative, that was depressing. Posted by David Cohen at December 8, 2004 6:08 PMOn the 25th day of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar, Jews around the world commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem more than 2,000 years ago. During this time of darkness, the Temple had been seized, and Judaism had been outlawed. Judah Maccabee and his followers fought for three years for their freedom and successfully recaptured Jerusalem and the Temple. Jewish tradition teaches that the Maccabees found only one small bottle of oil to be used for temple rituals, but that oil lasted eight days and nights. The miracle of this enduring light, remembered through the lighting of the Menorah, continues to symbolize the triumph of faith over tyranny.
The bravery of the Maccabees has provided inspiration through the ages. We must remain steadfast and courageous as we seek to spread peace and freedom throughout the world. This holiday season, we give thanks to God, and we remember the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and their families. We also pray that all who live under oppression will see their day of freedom and that the light of faith will always shine through the darkness.
Laura joins me in wishing you a blessed and Happy Hanukkah.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Why should this be depressing? I love the smell of lamp oil in the morning: it smells like victory.
Posted by: Lou Gots at December 9, 2004 1:42 PMNPR doesn't know fights from lights.
Posted by: ratbert at December 9, 2004 2:27 PMEven those of us who believe in an unchanging human nature can find it depressing that not even the headlines change in 2170 years.
Posted by: David Cohen at December 9, 2004 3:11 PMGlennReynolds.com explains that "during Hanukkah, many Jewish families retell the story of Judith, one of the many heroic women in Jewish tradition" who killed a general of Assyria, so that's probably where that came from, if that's the confusion. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6662217/#041208
Posted by: Just John at December 9, 2004 4:29 PMJews tend to refer to the Maccabean war as being against the Greeks, but actually it was the Hellenized Syrians (a result of Alexander's conquests). My only point was that, 2100 years later, the Syrians and the Israelis are still at war.
Posted by: David Cohen at December 9, 2004 6:39 PMIn Chapter One of Moby Dick, there is the following passage:
"And, doubtless, my going on this whaling voyage,
formed part of the grand programme of Providence that was drawn up a long time ago. It came in as a sort of brief interlude and solo between more extensive performances. I take it that this part of the bill must have run something like this:
"GRAND CONTESTED ELECTION FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THE UNITED STATES.
"WHALING VOYAGE BY ONE ISHMAEL.
"BLOODY BATTLE IN AFFGHANISTAN."
I saw its relevance in 2001.
Ecclesiastes 1:9-11
9 The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.
11 There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.