The real story of Hanukkah
OK, so you all think you know the story of Hanukkah, right? Wrong again, my friends. I’m not sure if you all know about it, but sushi plays a large role in the *real* story of Hanukkah!
photo from NPRDigiMedia on flickr
After Judah Maccabee and his brethren rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, they went looking or some oil – you know, to make their celebratory shrimp tempura sushi handrolls. This has been Jews have known to do in time of victory, most notably after they regained Jerusalem in the 1967 war).
But the problem, you see, is that the Maccabees only had enough oil to make one shrimp tempura. So they fried it up and ate the other seven shrimps they had completely raw, and didn’t get sick. It’s now known as the miracle of Hanukkah.
Bet you didn’t know that.
This comes up because we are discussing where to go in Boulder for our family Hanukkah celebration. I suggested Japango and wanted to beef up my argument with something relevant to Hanukkah. So I made up this very plausible argument, with a little help from my brother Alan.
Josh, I’ve recently married into the tribe and appreciate you breaking down a few parts of Hanukkah for me. As a good shiksa, I’m all about incorporating more Jewish traditions into my life and if it means more sushi, well, I’m down with that too.
Also? Love the Mel Gibson menorah.
See you tonight at Ignite!
We’re going to watch Sherlock Holmes with a couple of Jews (they’re going to watch it with a couple of Buddhists) and then eat at 5 Spice (the Chinese place next to the Chase in the Safeway lot at 28th and Iris). Don’t know if they do tempura there, but their lettuce wraps are the stuff of Buddhist Legend.
True story.