Feh. Chanukah is an odd mix of seasonal celebration envy and the most intense examination of the issues of our times. It pits radical Jewish faith against the wisdom of the Rabbis who were less than enamored with its disconcerting history. [If I am speaking opaquely, apologies: here is my post from last year.]
This year, Chanukah is in the news thanks to the ever challenging Christopher Hitchens. Take an antacid and read his thoughts here. Daniel Radosh attempts a rebuttal here in The Huffington Post. [His point is that Chanukah is whatever we make of it. Yes, you are correct in thinking that this is a view I do not share.]
The most satisfying piece on Chanukah I have encountered this year is from a writer called Danya Ruttenberg, who I will certainly be following more closely. Read it here. She concludes:
We have to be honest about the history that's happened, to take responsibility for what has been done by Jewish hands and to use what's past to spark discussion and action about how to behave in our world...
Chag same'ach.
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