Kindle the Light of Hanukkah

~ מעוז צור ma'oz tzur*

A beautiful antique silver menorah from Palestine.

In many households tonight as the first candle on the menorah is lit Ma'oz Tzur will be sung.  A hymn recounting the fights against ancient enemies it is said to have been composed in the 13th century.  The history of this song is fascinating and filled with meanings both hidden and historical. 

This is a lovely version of the piyyut that many of my friends will be singing tonight as the Feast of Lights begins.  Its sung by Blackmore's Night and the English words Candice Night sings in the second verse are only one set of many translations that have come down through the centuries.

This English version of the old canticle is based on a German version by Rabbi Leopold Stein (1810–1882) translated by two renowned rabbis who immigrated to the United States, Marcus Jastrow and Gustav Gottheil.

Rock of Ages, let our song, praise Thy saving power;
Thou, amidst the raging foes, wast our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us, but Thine arm availed us,
And Thy Word broke their sword, when our own strength failed us.
And Thy Word broke their sword, when our own strength failed us.

An 18th century oil menorah from Poland.

Kindling new the holy lamps, priests, approved in suffering,
Purified the nation's shrine, brought to God their offering.
And His courts surrounding, hear, in joy abounding,
Happy throngs, singing songs with a mighty sounding.
Happy throngs, singing songs with a mighty sounding.

Small bronze hanging oil Menorah, c. 1900 based on 14th Century French Menorah

Children of the martyr race, whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs where ye may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering that the time is nearing
Which will see, all men free, tyrants disappearing.
Which will see, all men free, tyrants disappearing.

Though a minor feast in the Jewish calendar Hanukkah has gained in significance as a feast to celebrate and share with family and friends - and in many home an extra place is set should a stranger come to the door in need of food and companionship.  

To my friends, who with their families, friends and perhaps that hungry wayfarer, begin this celebration of light as the darkest nights of the year approach: hahg same'akh (חג שמח)

My blog buddy Debra has one of the loveliest Hanukkah images on her blog - do take a look!

And two previous posts I've done on Hanukkah:

And Call It Lights

Happy Hanukkah - חג שמח

*Stronghold of Rock

08 December - 1660: A woman (either Margaret Hughes or Anne Marshall) appears on an English public stage for the first time, in the role of Desdemona in Shakespeare's Othello.

And Call It Lights

*

"Now Judas celebrated the festival of the restoration of the sacrifices of the temple for eight days, and omitted no sort of pleasures thereon; but he feasted them upon very rich and splendid sacrifices; and he honored God, and delighted them by hymns and psalms. Nay, they were so very glad at the revival of their customs, when, after a long time of intermission, they unexpectedly had regained the freedom of their worship, that they made it a law for their posterity, that they should keep a festival, on account of the restoration of their temple worship, for eight days. And from that time to this we celebrate this festival, and call it Lights. I suppose the reason was, because this liberty beyond our hopes appeared to us; and that thence was the name given to that festival. Judas also rebuilt the walls round about the city, and reared towers of great height against the incursions of enemies, and set guards therein. He also fortified the city Bethsura, that it might serve as a citadel against any distresses that might come from our enemies."

Flavius Josephus

Jewish Antiquities XII

*Blessed are you, Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who sanctified us by his commandments, and has commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukah.

20 dicembre/December - La primera noche de Chanukkà