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From: de@moscom.UUCP (Dave Esan)
Newsgroups: net.religion.jewish
Subject: Re: Christmas {report} card
Message-ID: <265@moscom.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 15-Dec-84 23:16:36 EST
Article-I.D.: moscom.265
Posted: Sat Dec 15 23:16:36 1984
Date-Received: Tue, 18-Dec-84 02:14:08 EST
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>It is only a very minor holiday and is often not celebrated in Israel.
> 
> 			Jay Zelitzky
> 			{ihnp4,hplabs,decwrl}!nsc!myunive


An interesting observation, but on what basis.  My relatives, all of whom
are non-observant, light candles and enjoy the holiday.  My sister reports
glowingly of the celebrations of Chanukah in Kiryat Shmona, Ashkelon, Ashdod,
and Jerusalem.

At a recent study session we read in G'mara that even in a time of danger it
is incumbent to light the menorah.  The danger they referred to was a 
prohibiition by the Zoarastrians on the kindling of a flame outside their 
house of worship, since this was their way of worshipping the god(s).  The
point is that it is not a major holiday, like the regalim, but is still
important, and i certainly not minor.

					David Esan (moscom!de)