a Hanukkah of defiant joy
it’s a rock of ages
I must immediately state that I am not Jewish. I am a Christian. (As I have previously indicated.) I also am a Christian who for the first time in his life, is celebrating Hanukkah. That is, at a meager level. I’m not spinning a dreidel or eating latkes! However, my wife and I have been lighting the candles each night.
In these dark days following the butchery of October 7, I find the light of Hanukkah bearing a defiant joy — especially this Hanukkah.
What can we do in the face of the antisemitism — which was already present — rearing its ugly and ignorant head? It is especially vile when it appears at the top levels of academia. It appears hand in glove in the name of a DEI (diversity, equity, inclusion) which has gone off the rails. It is a DEI saying very little regarding hatred of Jews.
Do we claim the savagery of Hamas must be taken in context? What do we say regarding the well-planned and calculated assault, murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping of people quite literally of all ages?
Still, Hanukkah is a wonder-filled celebration of the enduring victory of life over death. It is not spiteful.
I did some accidental research while checking out Hanukkah songs on YouTube. I came upon Hadassah Berne’s rendition of “Maoz Tzur,” which I discovered dates back many centuries. She delights in the “rock of ages.”
I also came upon “Bohemian Chanukah,” a delicious tongue-in-cheek work by Six13.
I don’t believe I can do better than reciting from Hadassah’s lyrical elation.
“Rock of Ages, let our song, praise Thy saving power;
Thou, amidst the raging foes, wast our sheltering tower.”
“Children of the Maccabees, whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs where you may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering that the time is nearing
When we’ll see all people free, tyrants disappearing.
When we’ll see all people free, tyrants disappearing.”
When we’ll see all people free, tyrants disappearing.
Shalom.
My own work of שָׁלוׄם (shalom) on a rock, perhaps a “rock of ages”?
