Rabbi Carl M. Perkins
Cantor Jamie Gloth
Melissa Rudman, Executive Director 
Arlene Bryer, President

"What's Peter Yarrow Got To Do With It?"

December 20, 2019 | 22 Kislev 5780
Dear Friends,

Which Hanukkah are you observing this year?

  • The Hanukkah thanking God for granting the Hasmonean priestly family victory over the oppressive Seleucid rulers -- as described in the books of the Maccabees?
  • The Hanukkah celebrating the miracle of a small cruse of oil that continued to burn for eight full days -- as described in the Talmud?
  • The Hanukkah celebrating the Maccabees’ military victory -- as developed and promoted by Zionists in the early twentieth century?
  • Or perhaps the Hanukkah celebrating hope, freedom and dignity for all humanity, as developed in the West during the past century or so?

I hope it's clear: there isn’t one and only one Hanukkah! The holiday has been interpreted and re-interpreted throughout the generations.   

To learn more about this, read “Which Hanukkah?” or “Holiday of Religious Liberty” by Rabbi Peretz Rodman.  

Or, ... come to shul on Shabbat morning, tomorrow. Services begin at 9:15 am; Torah on Two Feet with Rabbi Gordon begins at 9:00 am. Following the Torah reading, I am looking forward to sharing some fascinating information about the familiar, yet remarkably unfamiliar, hymn known as “Maoz Tzur.” We’ll compare the original Hebrew with the version many of us remember from our youth (“Rock of Ages, let our song …”). Hint: they are very different! In the process, we'll try to figure out which Hanukkah each of us will be observing this year.

Looking forward to seeing you!

In the meantime, Shabbat shalom , and Happy Hanukkah!
 
Sincerely,
 
Rabbi Carl M. Perkins

P.S. Oh, yes: about Peter Yarrow, the Peter of “Peter, Paul and Mary.” He wrote a Hanukkah song entitled “Light One Candle.” The lyrics are accessible here , and you can see Peter, Paul and Mary singing the song at their 25th anniversary concert here . Note especially Peter Yarrow’s introductory words. What do you think: which of the four Hanukkahs I mentioned above do you think that this song is intended to celebrate?

P.P.S. Don't forget to light the Hanukkah candles! Hanukkah begins at nightfall on Sunday evening, December 22nd. Candles should be lit as soon as possible after the sun goes down, and once they're lit, we should sit and enjoy their presence as long as they're burning. If you're wondering what to do during that time, why not try spinning a dreidel. If you haven't done it for a while, here's a 58-second instructional video. Enjoy!!!