Symbols of a holy season

Sharing traditions is part of the holiday season but learning the meaning of traditional symbols associated with religious holidays can be tough for outsiders.

Rhon Abraham remembers thinking that the menorah candles she saw as a child were like birthday candles.

But a rabbi quickly helped set her straight and explained how the candles were used. (Menorah candles are designed to be small and to burn out within an hour or two.)

Now Abraham hopes that people will learn about her Jewish traditions during a Hanukkah celebration Tuesday evening.

The event, which includes lighting the menorah candles and playing with a dreidel, is being held in the fellowship hall at Christ Episcopal Church.

The gathering will be an interfaith crowd, Abraham said, but she was delighted that the community was so responsive.

Both Hanukkah and Christmas share symbols that are meaningful to members of either the Jewish or Christian faith.

Christians use the hanging of the greens to decorate santuaries, display Chrismon trees and use Advent wreaths and candles during worship.

Chrismons are a type of Christmas tree decoration used in many homes and churches. The symbols represent biblical and theological concepts known by most believers. Most Chrismons are made of white materials with gold decorations of beads, ribbons or glitter.

Christmas celebrates the miracle of Jesus' birth. Hanging the greens is symbolic of the new life that Jesus brings.

Hanukkah doesn't use greenery like Christian churches do.

An advent wreath has five candles -- four in the center and one in the middle. The color of the candles may differ by denomination or tradition, but three of the candles are usually purple and one is pink. The center candle is white. The flame of the first candle to be lit is then use to light a new candle each week. The final, center, candle is lighted on Dec. 24.

Hanukkah also uses candles, to celebrate the eight days of light provided by God when the Maccabees were rebuilding the temple. A "servant" candle is lighted each night and then used to light other candles during the eight-day festival. The "servant" candle is special because of the miracle, Abraham said.

The candle holders can be constructed of nearly anything as long as there are holders for nine candles. "That makes learning about the holiday great, because it's good for creativity to make a menorah," Abraham said.

While observances for Hanukkah and Christmas differ, they do share a common bond. Abraham said both holidays celebrate a miracle.

Unlike Christmas which is a major Christian holiday, Hanukkah is considered a minor holiday in Judaism, which means that there are no restrictions on work.

But there is also time for relaxation during the period. Many Jewish families will light the menorah candles after sundown and then spend time playing games, particularly the dreidel.

The dreidel is a spinning top game that is usually played by children. Up to five people can play and each person puts an allotted amount of coins, candy or sticks into the general pot. As the dreidel spins it will stop on Hebrew letters equivalent to N, G, H or S. Each letter signifies an instruction for play.

Abraham will share more information about playing with the dreidel, the observances of Hanukkah and information about Judaism during the upcoming celebration. Members of the Jewish Federation, which covers Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois, also will attend the gathering.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126