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Reflection: A Different Take on Hanukkah

Dec 04, 2015 — Categories: ,

The eight day Festival of Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev, Sunday evening 12/06/15. The holiday commemorates the improbable Maccabean victory despite the overwhelming forces of Antiochus. The story goes that only one small cruse of oil, enough for one day, was found to celebrate and the cruse miraculously burned in the Temple menorah for eight days. In commemoration of that event, Hanukkah candles are lit each night for eight nights.

The eight day Festival of Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev, Sunday evening 12/06/15.  The holiday commemorates the improbable Maccabean victory despite the overwhelming forces of Antiochus.  The story goes that only one small cruse of oil, enough for one day, was found to celebrate and the cruse miraculously burned in the Temple menorah for eight days. In commemoration of that event, Hanukkah candles are lit each night for eight nights.

Stories of heroism and bravery are exalted.  They are told and retold from generation to generation and eventually become part of a peoples’ culture. When it comes to tales of dauntless courage and spirit in the face of overwhelming odds, Hanukkah has become one of the greatest illustrations.  As someone who has worked now many years in our field to eliminate violence in intimate relationships, I find celebrating war victory antithetical to peace and coexistence.  In war, there is a winner and a loser. Enough loss in the world comes without having to create more.

I would feel better if we found ways to elevate our worship by enhancing society. Rather than extolling the virtues of smiting others, what if we exalted as heroic those who feed the poor, find a cure for disease or a new procedure (i.e. stem cells), preserve the precious environment and planet, and work to end violence? Focusing on win-wins seems the most noble path.

Therefore, my fervent hope is that when we think of the festival of lights, our focus is not on trouncing others.  Instead, let’s focus on and glorify something like the single cruse of oil-- unlikely to last, but enduring nonetheless. Like that miraculous cruse, we prevail and persevere in the cause of ending violence, abuse, and control in relationships. Let’s use the metaphor of light to promote relationships that are mutually satisfying, mutually respectful, and growth-promoting for all. Happy and peaceful holidays to all!

Swirl

Toby Myers, EdD, LCSW, LPC, was aptly referred to as "the mother of the Texas Battered Women's Movement" by the Texas Council on Family Violence. She helped found and has been active in many organizations ending violence against women. Her domestic violence related activities include works with attorneys as an expert witness, a counseling practice, serving on boards and committees, training, and technical assistance. She is a founding member and Board Vice-Chair of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence. For having made a positive contribution to her community, Toby received the National Council of Jewish Women's Hannah G. Solomon Award, as well as Special Commendation from the Texas Department of Human Services for her work on behalf of battered women.

Referred to as "the mother of the Texas Battered Women's Movement" by the Texas Council on Family Violence, Toby Myers helped found and has been active in many organizations ending violence against women.  Her domestic violence related activities include works with attorneys as an expert witness, a counseling practice, serving on boards and committees, training, and technical assistance.  A good friend of gray hair, crow's feet, and cellulite, Myers dreams of people living in intimate relationships not only nonviolent, but also are mutually respectful, mutually satisfying, and growth promoting. - See more at: http://www.faithtrustinstitute.org/blog/182#sthash.g7r2Fb5q.dpuf
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article on Hanukkah

Posted by Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman at Dec 07, 2015 12:47 PM
well written. Just remember that that is why the rabbis of old kept the Book of the Maccabees out of the Bible and emphasized the miracle of light and oil on Hanukkah. They tried to emphasize 2000 years ago your take on it today. There is more to tell, but read the works on Hanukkah that clarify this.

Gratitude for Toby Myer's A Different Take on Hanukkah

Posted by Phoebe Jane Knopf at Dec 07, 2015 12:47 PM

   Wow! What a beautiful, powerful piece! Thank you Toby Myers, for your profound commitment to caring for creation and to telling the truth as you see it. As a survivor of sexual violence as well as retaliation for my Christian peacemaker efforts to work with others to build a world beyond war, I am deeply moved and illumined by your courageous determination to help us move beyond sleepy adherence to religious mythology that doesn't really uphold
our prized valuing of peace built on honesty and mutual caring. I am so grateful for the liberation, health and holiness sparked in me and, I'm sure, in our world by your work and by the work of other faith-based feminist thinkers who help us take a critical look at seeds of violence in religious mythologies from diverse faith perspectives, including my own Christian perspective.

Toby Myers on Hanukkah

Posted by Rose Garrity at Dec 07, 2015 12:47 PM
I love this wonderful reflection on how we might celebrate a bit differently. Toby has provided us all with something to think about as we follow our cultural and religious traditions. This is a beautiful holiday piece! Thanks very much to Toby!