Light is many things as it can be a noun, a verb, an adjective, and even be transformed into an adverb.
We can apply different definitions to light in terms of physics, nutrition, religion, knowledge, burden, illuminations, and being less encumbered.
We think of natural light, artificial, black light, grow light, infrared, visible, incandescent, fluorescent, LEDs, fog, flood, spot, ambient, task, direct, backlighting, and countless more that I won’t try to mention.
Yet, on this day, I honor the celebration of light. I’m not Jewish, but as a Christian, I look for parallels. Hanukkah is the Festival of Lights commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. In this hectic time that approaches Christmas, Happy Hanukkah to those in the Jewish faith – especially Shimon, a kind and wise man who visits here.
Shimon, I know this post doesn’t give your celebration justice, so I hope for dignity.
Two minutes to help one understand this holiday
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One+ minute for the beauties of the Hanukkah bush
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Two minutes to visit the Menorahs around the world
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Two minutes to see Jerusalem’s Festival of Lights
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This pop song and video makes me smile
A Frank Angle 
Lovely celebration, Frank.
To my many Jewish friends, Happy Hanukkah!
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Elyse,
Well said! 😀
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Excellent post – full of history, music, joy and celebration!
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Clan,
Just another reason to say that available learning is unlimited … and I wanted to also capture joy! Thanks for commenting.
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You brought an unintentional smile to my face, Frank. You see, the corner of the suburb I grew up in, bordered on Skokie, Illinois (that of Illinois Nazi march infamy), and the grade school I attended had a large Jewish population. Therefore, they taught us Hanukkah songs instead of Christmas songs one year! My mother was more than a little irritated, and sent a request with me that the kids be taught some CHRISTMAS songs. I suspect a teacher with my sense of humour received the note, because the next week, I came home singing “O Tannenbaum” totally in GERMAN! 😀
But yes, I understand the solemnity of this holiday. So to all your readers celebrating this great tradition, “Shalom Alacheim” – I think that’s the proper spelling. If not, accept my wish, and forgive my faulty memory. 🙂
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John,
Ha Ha … another priceless story … that is too funny! … and thanks for sharing another greeting fitting to the post!
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Chag Sameach, Frank.
(Happy holiday for the non Hebrew speakers)
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Guapo,
Another example of how you are a man of the world! Many thanks for sharing.
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Wow, Frank. This was an experience like no other. I can’t begin to describe to you, how strange it was to see how the American Jews celebrate this holiday, and how different it is from what I know. Even the scenes filmed in Jerusalem, were unlike anything I have experienced. It is very sweet of you though, to offer so much attention on your blog to our holiday, and in such a joyous way. Very generous!
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Shimon,
The pleasure is all mine … especially knowing that this post meets your approval. Shalom, my friend.
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fox news wants to know if you’re waging a war on “ultra-violet” light.
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Rich,
Typical of Fox News not telling the whole story because ultra-violet is part of the 47%. Thanks for the news scoop!
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Being something like 1/16th Jewish (yes, on my mother’s side), but force fed so much Catholicism in my youth that it backfired into atheist training, thank you for these “enlightening” videos.
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Lame,
You know me well enough by now that I aim for a respectful, positive spin. Was that last video in NYC? Thanks for commenting.
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Yep in NYC and to the tune of Justin Bieber! Thank God I got that emergency dose of age-defying Mick Jagger when I watched the 121212 benefit concert last night. He cleared that “Baby” song out of my head!
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Oh that’s too funny!
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I needed three shots of Geritol just from watching him.
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But it must have worked! … then again, I didn’t know Geritol was still made.
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I think the name’s been changed to Gazillion Hour Energy.
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LOLOLLOLOL
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Thanks for the enlightenment that this post has given me.. I have often wondered about the Jewish celebrations.. now I know about this one… great post…
To any Jewish visitors to your site, Happy Hanukkah!
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Bulldog,
I first video seems to be a good brief history. I may not know much about Jewish celebrations, but I greatly respect their dedications to traditions. Thanks for commenting.
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Thanks for the shout out to my peeps from the grandaughter of a rabbi-me!
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Seashells,
Your kind words made me smile because I wanted to be accurate and respectful … and your comment helps confirm that. Thanks for commenting!
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Thanks for the helping people understand Hanukkah! Great post!
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Dave,
Welcome first-time commenter. I don’t know much about it myself – thus I had a certain uneasiness about it because I wanted to be successful. Given that I’ve received positive comments from at least 2 Jews, now I’m pleased. Thanks for visiting and commenting.
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A fine cross-cultural post, Frank. Enjoyed the videos!
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John,
As you understand, cross culture isn’t easy … but it seems this one worked. Thanks for stopping by.
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I am in a classroom with students writing exams so am unable to view the videos right now, but I suspect they are great… I shall return to watch later, Frank. Nice post.
KJ
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Kayjai,
I like the videos … ok … I’m biased to my choices. Good luck to your students! Thanks for stopping by.
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My pleasure, Frank.
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One question …. what course for the exam?
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I have several students from different courses since we are the Learning Disability Centre. The ones I have in here right now are doing first year engineering, Petroleum program.
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🙂
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There are many parallels between different faiths and philosophies. Great post.
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Mobius,
Absolutely … and thanks for sharing the reminder!
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I know a few history profs who could learn from that video. Very informative and concise. Thanks for making me a little wiser today
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TBM,
Although I realize there’s much more to the story, that short history is a great primer! Glad you enjoyed this post and thanks for stopping by.
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What a special man you are! We need a world full of Franks.
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Rachel,
Thanks for the kind words, especially coming from one of your background. 🙂
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Very nice Frank…..I love the fact that I learn so much when I visit you 🙂
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Zannyro,
Part of this one was about learning, so thank you … and thanks for stopping by … and hi to Bob!
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I’ll give Bob a “Hi!” tomorrow morning…taking Melvin a little Christmas tree 🙂
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Zannyro,
Such a touch of class to treat Melvin tomorrow! Cheers to your efforts!!!!
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Thanks for another great post.
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Doggy.
Many thanks for stopping by.
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Very interesting post – don’t have on Jewish friend. Had a girlfriend once … but I don’t think she celebrated Hanukkah, she celebrate Christmas the Swedish way. It was very interesting to watch the videos … and get a bit inside information and beauty. Thanks a million, Frank
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Viveka,
Glad you watched the videos as they are a combination of information and joy. Thanks for commenting
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Frank, you make me smile! Loved the Justin Bieber Jewish remake–fabulous! Thanks for reminding us all that our religions connect and overlap and we have much to enjoy about the celebrations of others. Cheers!
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E-Tom,
The two of us see people for what they are, not what they aren’t … And because we embrace cultures, we can focus on the goodness. Cheers to you as well!!!!! Thanks for stopping by.
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Even though I’m Catholic, I had a lot of Jewish friends when I was growing up, so I played with a lot of dreidels and ate a lot of chocolate Hanukkah gelt. And a lot of potato latkes. Once I even got to light one of the candles on the menorah. I have fond memories of those days.
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Weebs,
Great story about your youth, so many thanks for sharing!!!
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Excellent idea for a post. I must confess to knowing a little bit about the subject as I have some Jewish friends (one of whom who is addicted to bacon which kinds freaks me out), but I think that puts me in the menorahty (yes, today was pun day) 🙂
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Fasab,
Oh my … even a pun around a Menorah … makes me wonder how many times your incorporate puns with human encounters. Meanwhile, is there a phobia for knowing a Jew addicted to bacon? I simply had to ask. Thanks for stopping by.
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Wonderful, Frank. I loved the Jerusalem’s Festival of Lights. That was so cool. I’d like to see that some day. Happy Hanukkah to our Jewish blogging friends.
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Bumble,
I agree … the Jerusalem celebration seems wonderful. Glad you appreciated this post and thanks for commenting.
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Happy Hanukkah to all our Jewish blog friends. Loved that “Jerusalem Festival of Lights” video. Such a joyous occasion.
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Paradise,
Absolutely!!! Thanks for visiting the celebration.
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Well thought and well done post – I am glad to know more about the meaning and history – in school when I was a little girl before they did away with being able to single out any one particular holiday celebration, I think my kid’s elementary school refers to it as winter celebrations or some other pc bs….ug.. but I had a teacher that asked all the students what holiday was theirrs in particular and then we learned about them all – or somewhat.. It was probably second grade so while I am – no was a little in the know as to the why- the thing about Haukkah I really knew was the Dreidl song.. so this was great.. Happy Hannukkah to all who celebrate..
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Lovely post, Frank. 🙂
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Thank you Robin!
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I earn my living in the lighting industry (it helped immensely when my cooker hood, oven and spotlights all blew on the same weekend) it is interesting to note that there is a huge faith in ownership of lighting companies, this gives it more perspective as I have wondered why there are Jewish organisations of lightmongers and Christian ones and it kinda makes a bit more sense if the idea of it has a deeper meaning.
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Joe,
Wow … interesting link to the lighting industry, which I had no clue. Thanks for sharing.
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PS: Hope you stop by my holiday party post.
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De-lightful! I especially enjoyed the “I Light It” video. Having recently accompanied my son to a Bar Mitzvah (a first for each of us) I found enormous beauty in the Jewish rite. Chanukkah is another gift from such an old tradition. Thank you!
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Peaceful,
Glad you enjoyed this one. I must say that this post was fun to put together, and several Jews mentioned it was done well … which was important to be. Thanks for stopping by.
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