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By the Way, Whatever Happened to Chanuka?

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By the Way, Whatever Happened to Chanuka? Rabbi Emanuel Feldman By the Way, Whatever Happened to Chanuka? may be considered a heretic for Ha-Torah-the light of Torah-and who teach their children Torah. But the following statement. and its holy wisdom (chochma shel mass gift givingand card sending as I merchants and gift shops will be kedusha) as distinguished from we know it today seems to have upset at me for stating it publicly, the secular wisdom (chochma shel become a manifestation of the Amer­ but with a muted voice and bated chol) of Hellenistic culture. ican neurosis which I call Imitatio breath I hereby whisper it-tenta­ Is it not an irony that the festival Goi. tively, timidly, but publicly: a Jew is which celebrates Jewish uniqueness Certainly there is no objection per not religiously obligated to give gifts and which represents a defeat for se to Chanuka gift-giving. It is only on Chanuka. the age-old thrust towards assimila­ that I find it ironic that the festival of Please do not misunderstand: gift­ tion should have fallen upon hard Chanuka, whose theme is anti-as­ giving is a fine gesture at any time. times in America, and become a pale similation, should have capitulated and expresses one's care, interest. Jewish version of the December sea­ to the very assimilatorytendencies it concern, or love. Gifts can be given sonal festival complete with tinsel supposedly defeated two thousand on Wednesday, on Pesach, Shavuos, and gift wrap? If some Jews are pil­ years ago. Even the modem state of Succos, Sbabbos-for any reason or ing up Chanuka gifts under the Israel has fallen victim to this: it for no reason. My point is simply Menora on the first night ofChanu­ marks the festival by sending run­ that while gift giving in itself is ka, can the lighting of the Great ners with lit torches from town to neither within norwithout the spirit Menora at the top of Rich's"be far town in Israel. This bears the faint of Chanuka, our gifting of one behind? aroma of the ancient Greek Olympi­ another at this season should be There is an element of gift-giving ads: runners and torches. History more than just an imitation of the traditionally involved with Chanu­ does play some ironic jokes, does it holiday practices of the dominant ka, and that is "Chanuka geldt." not? culture around us. Parents would present coins as gifts What Chanuka celebrates is a to their children-as a reward, or as Let us all have a happy Chanuka miraculous victory of a handful of an incentive, for the study of Torah: and. gift-giving or not, let us remem­ ber that Chanuka was a battle for Jews over a tyrannical foe who wants and parents would send gifts to those to obliterate the uniqueness of Jud­ the preservation of Jewish unique­ aism. The Hellenists-non-Jews as *Atlanta's pre1nier depart1nent store ness.• well as some Jews-insisted that Judaism and Torah assimilate into the dominant Greek culture. The CAMP S'DEI CHEMED miracle was that we won not only the INTERNATIONAL , .. 00 military victory but the spiritual vic­ tory as well. The uniqueness of Juda­ ~ Modern luxurious campus in the beautilul resort city of Netanya •The ~ finest. best most comprehensive and intensive touring program ism remained untouched. And the available anywhere• Mature experienced stafl • Excellent camping cruse of consecrated temple oil­ program includes all sporls. swimming. learning and leisure • which contained enough for one '<f Conversational hebrew • Make everlasting friendships with boys day's kindling but burned instead ~:"'~~,.....,,..~~from ~·;,~:ountrs'{ S~:~~:t stricl~2"29 for eight days-represents that spir­ 99"5"' 1 5 itual victory. Basically, Chanuka is --/' .~This pn~e01~~r:~!1~ re!l1s1r:irnn nnly 1tielo1 t• f-~~y:·, a~·,~:lus1ve i~c!udes a1rlare a festival of light, joy, thanksgiving, /'--',ff ~~~· ALSO "ISRAEL OFF TNE Bl'ATE/'V PATH" A Sl't:C/Al. TOUR PROGRAM FOR Tf105E WffO'VE BEEN TO ISRAEt BEFORt: and re-dedication to the principles Don·1 take our word for it· ask the thousands ot happy youngsters who over the past 18 years have joined us for of a unique Torah and Jewish life. !he greatest. most enjoyable and memorable summer in their lives! The menora lights represent the Or For free color brochure and 1tmerary call or write Camp S der Chemed lnternattona! flabb1 Eh Teitelbaum Executive Director Reprinted fro1n the synagogue bulleun of Cong­ t6t8 43rd Street Brooklyn NY 1120417\BJ 633 t909 regation Beth Jacob, where Rabbi Feldman is Rav. or Rabbi Moshe Gottesman Director o\ Tours \516} 764 5834 The Jewish Observer, December 1986 31 .
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