Tonight begins Chanukah, which marks two events.
The victory of the Maccabees over Hellenistic forces that were destroying Judaism.
And the miracle of the oil in the rededicated Temple that lasted for eight days when it should have been enough for only one day. Thus the lighting of candles for eight days and the use of oil in cooking foods, such as sufganiyot (donuts) here in Israel.
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When we light the candles we say that they are for remembering the miracles and the wondrous victories that were ours in those days, for which we are to be thankful.
Indeed, but miracles and victories are with us always, and always there are reasons for giving thanks.
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MK David Rotem, of the Yisrael Beitenu party, is Chair of the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.
Credit: Ariel Jerozolimski/JPost
He has now announced that there will be a hearing in that Committee on the Levy Report, which provides the legal basis for Israel’s rights in Judea and Samaria. The Commission had determined, after extensive legal research, that Israeli building in Judea and Samaria is not illegal, that Israel is not an “occupier,” and that the Geneva Convention does not apply to those Israelis living in Judea and Samaria.
Rotem’s announcement came after a year in which nothing was said in the Knesset about the Levy Report. The date of the hearing has yet to be announced, but it will be soon.
The JPost carried a story about this today:
http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Knesset-panel-to-debate-Levy-Report-333137
And it included this quote by Rotem:
“It’s our duty to ensure that Justice Levy’s report is adopted by the government.”
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The theme of thanks, of course, has an additional meaning this year, for tomorrow, the first day of Chanukah, is also Thanksgiving.
And so I say Chanukah Sameach, and Happy Thanksgiving, and end will a lovely little video of the Chanukah classic Ma’oz Tzur:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3_6makQ5zc
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© Arlene Kushner. This material is produced by Arlene Kushner, functioning as an independent journalist. Permission is granted for it to be reproduced only with proper attribution.
If it is reproduced and emphasis is added, the fact that it has been added must be noted.