Hanukah is supposed to be a happy holiday. Apparently, not this year.
With a massacre in the background and a war still going on, there's no joy on faces and in the hearts of people here. There's sorrow, sadness, and fear of upcoming events.
Things associated with Hanukah (lighting of candles in the menorah candle holder, dreidel spinning game , eating of favorite foods such as donuts, and potato pancakes ) are mostly done almost automatically now, to please the children and carry on with the tradition.
Hanukah is referred to as 'the Festival of lights'. Light (freedom) as opposed to darkness (oppression) is its theme. It is said to celebrate a miracle - a tiny jar of oil lasting for eight days; (hence the belief that looking into the light of the Menorah burning candles, can give one better vision and make a miracle for those with impaired eyesight).
The season of lights, Duta. May God shine His eternal light on all of you in this season of darkness. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot, Martha. Blessings to you too!
DeleteIt is terrible. I am so sorry.
ReplyDeleteIt is, indeed. Thank you, Jenn.
DeletePeace is is badly needed. Thanks Christine for your heartfelt wishes.
ReplyDeleteI know eating potato latkes is only traditional and not very functional. But my grandchildren here made a latke-wish for peace and safety for each relative and friend we have in Israel. "Here is to Uncle Fred's safety", "Here is to cousin Sue's good health".
ReplyDeletePeace to everyone!
I am not a fan of potato latkes, but I do appreciate your grandchildrens' gesture of making a latke-wish for the safety of their relatives in Israel.
DeleteDearest Duta,
ReplyDeleteThe entire Hanukah celebration is so meaningful. Love the jelly donuts.
Sad that it is being overshadowed by so much grief and sadness!
Wishing you still some meaningful Hanukah days
✡️🕎✡️
Hugs,
Mariette
'Meaningful' is the very right word regarding Hanukah celebration.
DeleteJelly donuts are everybody's weakness:)
Thanks Mariette for your kind words.
✡️🕎✡️
DeleteThank you, Mariette.
DeleteIt is truly a sad time. But here is hoping the light will shine and there will be better days ahead for everyone. Thanks so much for the festive post. Many blessings and peace.
ReplyDeleteHope is what keeps us going. Hope and Faith actually.
DeleteHugs and blessings to you, Ellie.
Here's hoping that the light of this Hanukkah prevails. A sad time, and you still need to follow the tradition for children's sake, yes. Wishing you light and peace.
ReplyDeleteSad times, but the light of Hanukah will prevail as it symbolizes spiritual freedom as opposed to darkness which stands for evil and oppression.
DeleteI'm sorry for what you are all going through and can understand how it can overshadow Hanukah.
ReplyDeleteOur granddaughters school program this year included a song "shalom" remembering Israel.
That's lovely - a song named Shalom, reminding of Israel! Thanks for the good news.
DeleteI hope this darkness will end soon. Such sadness! The light of Hanukah gives people hope.
ReplyDeleteVery sad all around. Yet, as you and all of us hope - darkness will end soon.
DeleteThis is enlightening, and very interesting. I love this post. I learned something new here today. Thank you for sharing it. Wishing you all the best, have a great Week!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've learnt something new.
DeleteAll the Best to you too! Have an excellent week!
War is just cruel, esp. for us normal folks. Peace and I hope you still can enjoy the holiday a bit.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, war is very cruel! Thank you Angie, for your kind words.
DeleteHow I hope that the light of Hannukah will shine for everyone and that peace will come. Hope is a fragile essential.l
ReplyDeleteHope is a "fragile essential" - how true! We, humans base a lot on this fragility, and pray to God it doesn't let us down.
DeleteHappy times it's supposed to be but not so as I can only imagine what dread most people are feeling over your way and wondering what's next. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel, depends on how long that tunnel is Duta.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
So they say - ight at the end of the tunnel. Yo're right, of course - depends on how long that tunnel is.
DeleteOur world needs that miracle and light right now. I can see why this year especially Hanukkah feels submerged in a cloud of grief, fear and concern. I hope you can carve even a bit of happiness -- if only memories -- during these last few days of the holiday.
ReplyDeleteMiracle now! Please God Allmighty, make it happen!
DeleteThanks Jeanie for your kind words.
Great blog
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rajani Rehana.
DeleteThank you for this post. I'm so upset about the war and for the hatred from Hamas that sort of steamed off the paper when I first read about this. I don't see how this conflict can be resolved. Israel didn't ask for any of this and neither did the Palestinian people. Just so overall sad.
ReplyDeleteHi, Inger. Sad and upsetting! Over the years, there were pauses in the conflict, but no much hope of resolving it. It's all in the hands of God.
Delete
ReplyDeleteThe world needs a miracle.
Being the only blogger I know who lives in that region, I think of you very often.
I have heard that Hanukah song before!! : )
Thanks Catarina, for thinking about me. You've got a kind soul.
DeleteThe song is among the most well known Hanukah songs.
Wishing you the very Best!
I hope the situation will improve and people once again can be safe and cheerful. There is too mauch darkness in the world.
ReplyDeleteRight you are Bill; too much darkness . We can only hope for better times both in the Middle East and everywhere else.
DeleteThank you for the tip about the soda water. I hope the new year bringd some light.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm never without a small bottle of soda water in the house.
DeleteThanks for your wishes for the new year.
My heart goes out to you during these challenging times. The resilience in continuing traditions, even in the face of sorrow, speaks volumes. May the lights of Hanukkah bring a glimmer of hope and comfort amidst the darkness. 🕊️🕎
ReplyDeleteThank you , Melody, for your kind words and for your wishes that the lights of Hanukah bring hope and comfort.
ReplyDeleteDuta I have no words. Only that the darkness will not have the last word, and that is why I appreciate the symbol behind Hanukkah. I am also grateful for photos of lit Hanukkah candles from around the world. I have a menorah, not an Hanukkah candle, but if it wasn't disrespectful, I would be willing to light it on the last day as a gesture of solidarity with you and those I know from bloggerland. xxxx
ReplyDeleteThat's very kind of you, Aritha, to appreciate 'light' as the symbol of Hanukah, meant to defeat darkness. , in a spiritual sense.
DeleteSadly, there are people who are not as understanding as you are, so I try to keep a low profile, so that not to be dragged into politics.
Hi Jan. Thanks for your reply about Pomelo. I'm very fond of this fruit.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your wishes for a safe and better situation in our region.
Hello DUTA,
ReplyDeleteThe situation in Israel makes me very sad. May God's light shine in the darkness. There is a lighting of a menorah in our town tomorrow evening and we are planning to attend. I think of you and one other blogger I know in Israel. Difficult days.
DeleteThank you, Lorrie for thinking about me and for going to attend the lighting of a menorah in your town.
Amen to your blessing that God's light may shine in the darkness.
it is rather sad time...
ReplyDeleteBelated Happy Hanukah wishes to you, Duta, and I am also sorry that this year it is not a joyful time. Thank you for explaining the meaning of this special time, as well. I appreciated learning and hope that your celebration was as good as possible considering the world situation.
ReplyDeleteThank you Beatrice for your wishes and your kind words. We do what we can about celebration of Hanukah, considering the circumstances. The emphasis during Hanukah is on lighting candles, and these lights somehow uplift our mood.
DeletePozdrawiam serdecznie.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteHoping you were able to somewhat celebrate Hanukkah. I listen to the news every day about your country and it makes me sad that many folks have lost loved ones while others live in fear and others just cannot go back to their normal lives right now. Janice
ReplyDeleteYes, Janice we're constantly in the news. The big problem now is that tere are about 135 hostages, and each day someone among them is murdered.
DeleteThank you, Duta, for sharing about Hanukah and the meaning behind the Manorah. My heart aches for the people of your country. I can't even begin to imagine the sadness and hurt that people are suffering there. You and all of Israel are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHanukah actually commemmorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. I greatly appreciate your keeping us in your prayers, Dianna.
DeleteA beautiful Hanukkiah. Let's think about the good things.
ReplyDeleteThere's such a rich variety of Hanukiot on the market! It's a very creative field!
DeleteThanks for the advice to think about the good surrounding us.
My friend, it's so sad what is happening. We can only hope that there will be light again. I hold you in my prayers for your safety and for the madness to end.
ReplyDeleteSad, indeed. Hope, light, prayers are the real thing under the circumstances.
DeleteThanks , Alicia, for caring for my safety, and keeping me in your prayers. I greatly value that.