Hannukah Sameach & Merry Christmas!

Hanukkah 2010 (borrowed from a relative)

To the Jewish communities all around the world: Chanukkah Sameach (Happy Hanukkah)!!

Tonight, begins the 25th of Kislev (under the Jewish calendar) and therefore commences the Festival of Lights. The Shehecheyanu will be sang, the first candle will be lit while a blessing is recited.
Hanukkah not only commemorates the re-dedication of the Second Temple, in Jerusalem, after it was defiled by the forces of Antiochus IV (who had profaned almost all of the temple's ritual oil), but it also celebrates the miracle of the oil.

The Miracle of Hanukkah

Of all the desecrated ritual oil, only one container remained sealed with enough oil to keep the menorah lit for a single day (since the Light must always burn in the Temple [Ner Tamid], as a symbol of God's Eternal Presence). However, Elohim made the oil burn for eight consecutive days (exactly the time needed to prepare new oil).

From the 25th of Kislev until the 2nd of Tevet, the duration of this festivity, it is pertinent to thank Hashem for all the miracles He performs before the Jewish People (and He does perform many - the existence and the thrive of the Jewish State, for example, is testament to that).

During the festive week, the Jewish people prepare fried dishes like Sufganiyot and Latkes. A Portuguese-Jewish family member also prepares Kosher Cacos, Rabanadas and Sonhos.

While eating sufganiyot, I repeat: Happy Chanukkah to you all! 

Christmas Tree (borrowed from Here)

Merry Christmas! 

This coming weekend, on the 25th of December, Christian communities celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ (the most loved and admired Jew in the world).
It is a time of Love and Peace (on earth and among the men of good will) celebrated with a lot of light and loads of candles, as well.

The Miracle of Christmas

Once upon a time, a virgin conceived immaculately and the Christian Messiah was born. He cast a Light upon a barbaric world and his Wisdom changed the mentality and behaviour of Men.
I wish Christians would focus more upon the spiritual significance of this holiday, but I know that it is hard for most of them to renounce the pressure of consumerism.

In Portugal, Christian (or like many call themselves: culturally christian) citizens eat several goodies during Christmas: see here. I can't help but to correlate Christmas' festive fried delicacies with Hanukkah's fried goodies because the Portuguese eat a lot of fried sweets during this time of year too - it's not surprising though, since 70% of the Portuguese have Jewish blood boiling in their veins.

While tasting filhoses I repeat: Merry Christmas to you and you!