Beth HaDerech; Messianic Jewish Congregation, Toronto, Canada

Chanukah VS Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa (meaning first fruits) is a made up holiday by African Americans to commemorate how far they have come and where they want to be for the coming year. It was originally instituted in 1966 by a man named Ron N. Everett who also goes by Maulan Karenga. He was a presumed cult leader for many years and according to official documents only created Kwanzaa to oppose the white holiday of Christmas and to also appose the white religion (Christianity). He later on softens his views on Christianity to allow more African Americans to engage in Kwanzaa, although it can be celebrated by any culture who wishes to partake in this holiday. Chanukah as we all know simply deals with the commemoration of the recapturing of the temple 165 BCE and the burning of the eternal light for eight days rather than the one day the vial of oil was to supply. Odd thing is Israel got rid of the Greeks only to later fall to the Romans. Chanukah can easily be celebrated by burning the menorah lights each day for 8 days, on the first day not including the service candle one candle is burned and a blessing made, on the second day two candles are lit, and so on. It can normally be enjoyed with deep fried foods to commemorate the oil that burned for eight days....