December 19, Hanukkah

 Word of the day: Hanukkah: dedication

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication.”  Hanukkah begins today!

The holiday commemorates the triumph of a band of rebel Jews (known as the Maccabees) in reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem from the Greek-Syrians. Their victory is documented in the First and Second Book of Maccabees. Hanukkah, therefore, celebrates freedom from oppression.


I took  a day trip to Girona after the end of the pilgrimage.  A Star of David at the Jewish Museum there. This city had a large Jewish population until they were expelled in 1492. 


The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. Although there was only enough oil to keep the menorah on the altar burning for one night, the menorah miraculously burned for eight days.


               Menorah in the museum
               Steps in the old Jewish quarter 


                       The old Jewish Quarter

             A courtyard in the quarter.  Although it no longer is populated by the Jewish people, this section of the city remains much like it was in the 1200’s.

 Hanukkah blessing:

Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of all, who has kept us alive, sustained us, and brought us to this season.




On this day, the pilgrims left in the darkness of the morning.  Rather than menorah 🕎 candles lighting their way, as they did for the Jewish people in the 2nd century BC; they used headlamps to light their way.  This was part of their desert walk!   I joined them in the early morning to wish them well, then later in the day, took  the train back to Barcelona for continued recovery!  
Pilgrims preparing for another day on the road
My roomie  Veronica, ready for another day!
The focus this week was to see Jesus more clearly, love Him more dearly, follow him more nearly, these things I pray!       Jeez Louise

https://youtu.be/P3PjfBQjJT8


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