Chanukah — For the Rest of Us,
December 15, 2022
Dr. Eric Wasser, High School Talmud Teacher
One of the longest running sitcoms, which I watched growing up, is no doubt familiar to you as well! Seinfeld was an American sitcom television series created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. It aired on NBC from July 5, 1989 to May 14, 1998 — nine seasons and 180 episodes! The show starred Seinfeld as a fictionalized version of himself and the main titular protagonist. The episodes focused on his personal life with a handful of friends and acquaintances. It was often described as being “a show about nothing.” As a Jew, I took “naches” in knowing that not only were the co-creators of the show Jewish (Seinfeld and Larry David), but so were many of the main actors, including Jason Alexander (George Costanza) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Elaine Benes). [Dreyfus’s father is Jewish and she can possibly trace her family history back to the famous Alfred Dreyfus!]
One of the funniest episodes that I often recall at this time of year introduces, in place of Chanukah or Christmas, the holiday of Festivus.
Festivus is a Constanza-created holiday gathering that includes the following customs: The airing of grievances during the holiday meal, with speakers beginning with the statement, “I have a lot of problems with you people . . .”; feats of strength performed after the collation; and finally the recognition of Festivus miracles (which, of course, were not really miracles!)
Ironically, as a diatribe against the commercialism often associated with American winter holidays, Festivus became popular for several years. During the 1990s, one could buy a Festivus kippah, and recently, Martin Bodek published The Festivus Haggadah! It is funny how things catch on!
While it is true that sometimes Chanukah holiday gatherings do result in the airing of grievances (should we have the latkes with sour cream or applesauce?) and contests involving feats of strength (manifested rather as heated debates pertaining to political and social issues), more importantly, the recognition of miracles remains the meta-narrative of this holiday season.
Here are a few seasonal rhyming miracles for us to consider as we prepare for Chanukah 2022:
Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom
One of the funniest episodes that I often recall at this time of year introduces, in place of Chanukah or Christmas, the holiday of Festivus.
Festivus is a Constanza-created holiday gathering that includes the following customs: The airing of grievances during the holiday meal, with speakers beginning with the statement, “I have a lot of problems with you people . . .”; feats of strength performed after the collation; and finally the recognition of Festivus miracles (which, of course, were not really miracles!)
Ironically, as a diatribe against the commercialism often associated with American winter holidays, Festivus became popular for several years. During the 1990s, one could buy a Festivus kippah, and recently, Martin Bodek published The Festivus Haggadah! It is funny how things catch on!
While it is true that sometimes Chanukah holiday gatherings do result in the airing of grievances (should we have the latkes with sour cream or applesauce?) and contests involving feats of strength (manifested rather as heated debates pertaining to political and social issues), more importantly, the recognition of miracles remains the meta-narrative of this holiday season.
Here are a few seasonal rhyming miracles for us to consider as we prepare for Chanukah 2022:
- Technology: God bless Zoom for allowing us to experience the “room.”
- Community: God bless others for being our brothers.
- Family: God bless those close, for loving us most.
- Heritage: God bless the Jews for allowing us to schmooze.
Chag Urim Sameach and Shabbat Shalom