Plan B Forum

These guys are genuinely talented. I must admit I was watching to see what they would do with 'bismillah' (in the name of Allah) which most Muslims, even the not particularly devout, say at the start of any venture. It's almost a get out of jail free card: I had a friend who was head of the EPA equivalent in a Gulf state who had been to China on vacation. I asked her how she handled the food: after all it's not halal and there is probably pork in everything. "Oh, you just say a quick bismillah and you're good", she said.

Thank you Econoline. That was so much better that some other 'song of the season' like say "Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer."

snailgate.

Not actually my family's Hanukkah party, but it might as well be:



More sufganiyot!

Happy Hanukkah to you all, no matter how you spell it.

Sue U, I bet the image you posted is a first night celebration... in Israel. (The interior room design gives it away.)

My Gladwyne friend's Hanukkah table used to look like this but now that the kids are grown and gone it's a bit more subdued. However, it's still a warm, festive, celebration and somewhat awe inspiring.

♫ Everybody sing... ♫

I have a little dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it’s dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel I shall play.

It has a lovely body
With legs so short and thin
And when it gets all tired
It drops and then I win.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel I shall play.

My dreidel is so playful
It loves to dance and spin
A happy game of dreidel
Come play now, let’s begin.

Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
Oh, dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
Now dreidel we shall play.

Almost all of today's Menorahs have waxen candles and, of course, can never runs out of oil. I think they lose much of the symbolism they represent.

On the other had, all celebrations -- religious or secular -- are mostly symbolic and rarely reflect their original meanings and/or intentions.

HO...Ho...ho! Merry Holiday to one and all.

HO HO back at you, Ray.

Just remember, when the men don't have enough oil, it's time for a miracle; when women don't, it's time to chastise them as foolish virgins.