by Cheryl, Gulf Coast Poet

“A Great Miracle Happened Here!”

A Poem about Hanukkah, a Jewish Holiday beginning this year on November 28

Jews celebrate the eighth night of Hanukkah. Eight candles burn in a menorah. The ninth candle in the center is used to light the other candles. Photo by Rodnae Productions from Pexels.

“A Great Miracle Happened Here!”

Hanukkah menorah lights burn bright.

Just one candle is lit on the first night,

two on the second, three on the third…

On the last night, all eight are burned!

A woman gambling for Hanukkah gelt, spinning a dreidel. The letters inscribed on dreidels stand for, “A great miracle happened here!” Photo by Rodnae Productions from Pexels.

Spin the dreidels…Their message is clear:

“A great miracle happened here!”

Tell the Hanukkah story, please,

of Jerusalem reclaimed by the Maccabees.

Drawing the Star of David. Photo by Cottonbro from Pexels.

In Jerusalem, the temple’s rededication

was cause for joyous celebration.

They had enough oil to burn for only one day…

but for eight days, the temple lamps blazed!

Photo of a violinist by Cottonbro from Pexels.

Bring out the latkes, sing the songs.

Hanukkah celebrations are eight days long!

Love of religious freedom is heartfelt,

holiday memories as sweet as Hanukkah gelt!

Hanukkah gelt, chocolate coins covered in foil. Photo by Rodnae Productions from Pexels.

Copyright© 2021 by Cheryl Batavia

The events commemorated by Hanukkah occurred about 167 BCE. The history of the period is very complex, but well worth learning more about. I especially like the story of Judith, a spy who helped win the war to reclaim Jerusalem. Hanukkah is generally viewed today as a celebration of religious freedom.

For a poem about Hanukkah as celebrated by our family when our children were young, see “Eighth Night of Hanukkah.” https://gulfcoastpoet.com/2020/12/02/eighth-night-of-hanukkah/

Happy Hanukkah!

58 Comments

    1. Thank you, Punam. ❤ My pleasure to share. I celebrate in spirit and send greetings to my late husband's family. When my daughters are here, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah! We will still have a ways to go to catch up with all the lovely festivals celebrated in India! 🙂

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply

    1. Thank you, Joanna, for your kind words! Very much appreciated. ❤ When my daughters are here, we plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah! We have a lot of catching up to do. My younger daughter has a January birthday, and I wouldn't be surprised if she wants to celebrate that too!

      Have a great day! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Glad you enjoyed the poem, AP! When my daughters visit next week, we will be celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Hanukkah. We might even celebrate my younger daughter’s January birthday. We have a lot of catching up to do! 🙂

      I hope you and your family are doing well! ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. My late husband was Jewish. We had wonderful Hanukkah celebrations with his parents when our children were young. Today, we send Hanukkah greetings and remember those wonderful days.

      Thank you for your kind comment. It means a lot to me! Happy Hanukkah to you and your family, David ❤ ❤ ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I loved the information regarding Hanukkah. Incidentally gambling was associated with our Diwali festival too. Happy Hanukkah in advance to you and your family 🎉🎉💐💖

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, KK for sharing your thoughts. I did not know that Diwali featured gambling! It does seem that there are several parallels between the two festivals of lights. Both festivals seem to be linked to the shorter days of winter, as does Christmas with its candles and colored lights. I envy Indians with their many colorful and joyous festivals. All the best!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Life in itself is a celebration. That’s why we believe in celebrating festivals, even of other religions. Gambling has now been banned, but a few people still practise privately as a ritual or as habitual offenders. And yes, chocolate coins, as a child, I used to keep them in my tiffin box. Thank you 💗

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Cheryl, wishing you a very Happy Hanukkah … as well as all the other celebrations! A joy of family being together! Your beautiful post brings enlightens me a bit about Hanukkah – thank you for sharing such a beautiful poem and photos.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Michel, for your kind words. I appreciate you! ❤

      I am so excited that my two daughters will be visiting next week. We plan to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and maybe even my younger daughter's January birthday. When she was younger, she started asking on the day after her birthday about the next one. 🙂 We have a lot of catching up to do!

      I imagine you are planning a great Christmas with your lovely family! Wishing you well!

      Love ❤
      Cheryl

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  24. Happy Hanukkah 🕎 dear Cheryl!
    With the business of Thanksgiving o forgot yesterday was the first day. I will be honoring everyone with Latkes tomorrow night to honor all of my Jewish friends near and far!!
    Beautiful
    Poem! Hugs and love! 💕

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply

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