Boulder Aish Kodesh

The word for oil, שמן (shemen) also implies ‘fat’ – as in zaftig. On Hanukkah we eat the two single fattiest, most oil-soaked cherished delights – the two very eyes of the hurricane, The Truth’s culinary manifestation itself – latkes (or לביבות [levivot] and doughnuts (סופגניות – sofganiot) – the word itself literally means to absorb – etymologically related to the word that literally means ‘to absorb lashes’ [Makot 2b Rashi]). Hanukkah is the time when we treat ourselves – and others – to tangible pleasures we do not allow ourselves at any other time – we give each other gifts (not necessarily material), we invite each other into our homes and light candles together and let each other in. We smile and spend time with the children.

In Parshat Vayigash, Yosef finally reveals himself to his brothers – he has been hiding himself from them for so long, and it hurts him so deeply that he must turn away and cry – until finally he cannot hold himself back and he cries out ‘I am Yosef! Is my father still alive?’ Od Avinu chai? And aren’t we all wanting to come out like that, to say ‘This is the part of me that plays cello – please come in…’

שמן – shemen is also related to נשמה (neshama) – soul. Soul does not mean some ethereal part of myself – it means what it says. Soul. Fried food. Soda. Good Times. Hangin’ out, givin’ the dreidel a spin, bringing home a few hundred bucks you won off Neil’s kid who took it from his dad’s wallet when he wasn’t looking. When’s the last time someone saw you dance?

Take this last night, get out the disco ball, shine up your shoes and dig in to some latkes and look at the box and see how many calories are in them – each one – and then eat a whole ‘nother handful and laugh in a sinister way. It’s Hanukkah.