Hanukkah is a joyous time for Jews, commemorating a 2,300-year-old military victory and miraculous intervention in human affairs. It involves lighting menorah candles, gifts and fattening comfort foods – much like Christmas (minus the crèche, Claus and caroling).
A seven-branched candelabrum is an ancient symbol of Israel, possibly the oldest. Said to represent the flame of God in the burning bush, menorahs also symbolize the mission of Israel to be a "light unto the nations," according to the prophet Isaiah. Scholars emphasize that this light is extremely powerful but not a violent or warlike force.
Unfortunately threats to Jewish existence and worship have been so prolific and perpetual that lighting a menorah could be seen as a ritual act of faith in God in itself. There are so many types of darkness to overcome yet, and this is a Festival of Lights.
Perhaps that's why Hanukkah menorahs have such diversity in pattern, materials, style and tone. They cover such a vast territory of events and locale. Modern designs range from great elegance, grace and beauty, to light and jubilant. Many appeal to children or are amusingly droll.
TRENDING: 'Art of the Deal': How Trump turns COVID issue into 'win-win'
This winter celebration is also a statement of human resilience. It's like a manifesto that comes with food and music. After all attempts to extinguish their lights, Jews live to eat latkes and pastry for yet another year. Take that, Nazis.
Laughing at an enemy, whether it's ISIS, the Seleucids or just crummy weather is always a morale booster. We should all do it more often. Beyond that, it may get them so flustered they may not be able to hack at a head or curse Israel properly.
British aircraft designer Alliot Verdon-Roe's 1910 tri-plane inspired "Fantastic Flying Machine Menorah" (above left). Crafted in metal sheeting in China, it may not be high art, but it's still a charmingly winsome and highly functional menorah. Personally I find it inconceivable that 900,000 lbs (a loaded 747) of metal, fluids and flesh, can defy gravity at great speeds. Airplanes seem the perfect metaphor for Hanukkah's miracles of oil, light and deliverance.
Works on painted and cut metal by artists such as David Gerstein and Yair Emanuel are wildly popular across Israel and elsewhere. Yair's work is generally whimsical and joyous. Some have the sense of Mexican Retablos (folk altar-pieces) at times. The artist is famed for his accordion-style, fold out menorahs with painted scenes of Jerusalem. Gerstein's brilliant lacquered birds, butterflies and fruits are beautifully composed and painted and a delight to view.
Above right is an example of a clever take on "Star Wars" via Hanukkah – a little kitschy but fun. Not certain who the creator is, but you can simultaneously celebrate miraculous victory and future Episode VII of the space series, should you be so inclined.
Gentiles are more likely to encounter menorahs in public squares of the world than at church. Some are vast contraptions, and a few are actually attractive. Even with the clunky behemoths, there's a certain element of fascination with the mechanics of such grand installations.
Brooklyn claims to host the world's largest menorah but has sharp competition, even at home. Cherry-pickers are required to reach the loftiest 33-foot-high Hanukkah candle on the seasonal metal tower in Grand Army Plaza.
Height is strictly limited to be "halachically kosher," according to Jewish religious laws. Otherwise giant, airborne Menorahs may be floating about eclipsing our view of the Statue of Liberty even now. Thanks to Jewish rules she is safe – but not from untethered, blow-up Santas.
Public menorahs show up in unexpected places such as the Las Vegas strip, Montevideo, Beijing and even some Muslim countries. Below, Elephants parade a large menorah and two young men through Bangkok for Hanukkah, which is probably an odd sight even for Thailand.
Swelling crowds in places like Buenos Aires with hot lights, popping cameras and amplified music give the candle-lighting a sense of a rock concert (with more decorum and rabbis of course). In Russia's Ekaterinburg, Hanukkah celebrants cram a stadium to light the big candles and sing en masse.
Although Hanukkah isn't required and barely mentioned in the Bible, it is a joyful celebration of Jewish life and culture. Freedom of worship was the big prize in 167 B.C. when Jews had all they could take of Antiochus Epiphanies and his mocking, ritual, pig slaughter to defile their Temple.
"Greeks" or superpowers really haven't changed that much either over the last 2,300 years. Perhaps the most galling subjugation of the Greek axis was enforced, state-run education of conquered peoples. Control of thought and religious practices – which is now presumed after any election.
Eating donuts and decorating is easier than fighting another war and much more fun. Aren't the Seleucids still reigning in Germany, North Korea, the United Nations and our own Internal Revenue Service? Yet Hanukkah is a celebration of God's victory over the plans of the world's leaders – and so is Christmas.
The same God, the same victory, the same Light.
Happy Hanukkah!
Sources: http://brooklyn.about.com; www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org; www.chabad.org.