Tag Archives: christmas

…around the dinner table

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Last night after dinner, still seated at the table, we had a family discussion about Hanukkah. Now, I’m not entirely familiar with the customs/traditions surrounding this Jewish holiday. Katie (my 17-year old) jumped-up and pulled a book from the bookshelf entitled “Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins” by Eric Kimmel.

(Photo credit Amazon)

Katie told me she claimed this book from the ‘give-away’ cart at our local public library awhile ago… she’s so like her mom! So, we read the book aloud (just like we used to read to our kids seemingly a lifetime ago).

Hanukkah starts on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev, and lasts for eight days: the coinciding secular dates for 2011:   December 20-28

Many Jewish communities observe the first day of Chanukah, which marks the start of Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah or Festival of Lights. Chanukah is an eight-day Jewish observance that remembers the Jewish people’s struggle for religious freedom.

Chanukah commemorates the Jewish people’s successful rebellion against the Greeks in the Maccabean War in 162 BCE. A ritual cleansing and re-dedication of the Temple occurred after the Jewish people’s victory. It is believed that there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day but the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for eight days ~~ that’s why Hanukkah is also referred to as the Feast of Lights or Festival of Lights for this reason.

The dreidel is a square-shaped toy that is used to play a game during the Chanukah celebrations. It is a spinning top with a different Hebrew letter inscribed in each of its four sides – the four letters: ‘nun’, ‘gimel’ ‘hay’ and ‘shin’. They form an acronym meaning “a great miracle happened here”. 

The menorah, hanukiah (or chanukkiyah) is a type of candelabrum that holds eight candles to commemorate the eight days that the oil burned and a ninth candle that sits apart, known as the ‘shammes’ or shamash, or servant candle that lights the others. One candle is lit on the first night, another on the second, and so forth until all candles are lit on the last night. The candles may not be used for any other purpose, and once lit, may not be blown out. They must be allowed to burn down completely and are replaced each night.

You’re likely familiar with the delicious potato pancakes or celebratory ‘latkes’ which are eaten hot from the pan with jam, sour cream or applesauce.

In recognition of Hanukkah, I think I’ll make latkes for dinner!

Christmas Herb Folklore

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There are many legends about herbs and the roles they played in the Christmas story. The dictionary defines legend as “an unverifiable story handed down by tradition from earlier times.” The herbs that are linked to the Nativity story are often called “manger herbs” and include the following: 

The soft leaves of rosemary (rosmarinus officinalis) muffled the crackling twigs underfoot as the Holy Family traveled, thus preventing detection and ensuring a safe journey to Bethlehem. Another legend recounts that the white rosemary flower turned the color of Mary’s blue cloak when she laid it gently upon the blooming bush as the family was fleeing from Herod’s dreaded soldiers. Another belief is that a rosemary plant will grow no higher than six feet in thirty-three years, so as not to stand taller than Jesus did?

The word lavender (lavandula) is from the Latin word “lavare” meaning to wash. Legend has it that Mary laundered their clothing with this fragrant herb and used the bush as a clothes line. It further asserts that her clothes turned blue from contact with the flowers.  In medieval Latin the usage of the word lavender changed and was derived from “livere” meaning “to make bluish.” Not incidentally blue is the color accorded to the Holy Mother in paintings and stories. Lavender plants were said to spring up wherever the swaddling clothes of the Holy Child were placed. It is no surprise that lavender is the herb symbolic of cleanliness, purity and immortality.

Costmary (chrysanthemum balsamita) with its sweet balsam scent is commonly called Bible Leaf or Our Lady’s Balsam. There are stories of its use as a healing ointment by the Holy Mother. Culpepper, an herbalist of the 1600’s, gives the following recipe for a healing salve. “Costmary makes an excellent salve … being boiled with oil of olive, and adder’s tongue with it, and after it is strained put a little wax, rosin and turpentine to bring it to convenient body.”

Rue (ruta graveolens) is the herb of grace. The genus name “ruta” is derived from the Greek word “reuo”, that means “to set free”. No herb could be more appropriate in this setting where Christians believe the grace of God was bestowed on humanity. 

The honey-like vapors activated by the heat of the body make yellow bedstraw (galium verum) a soothing, sweet smelling, resting place. It is said that the original white flowers turned their present golden color because of the manger’s special visitors. It is often called “Our Lady’s Bedstraw” because of the connection with the Holy Mother who may well have slept upon it with the Christ child cradled in her arms.

Sweet woodruff (galium odoratum) is representative of humility in herbal folklore because it grows demurely close to the ground. When dried, it has the scent of new mown hay and vanilla and repels insects. It added another delightful aroma and protection to the manger setting.

May these herb connections between then and now add wonderment to your Christmas celebration!

(go to http://www.tehachapinews.com for more info)