Celebrating Hanukkah ... well, almost

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah, the first of eight nights in which Jews celebrate a somewhat dubious claim to a battlefield victory and an equally unbelievable tale about oil. Non-Jews who are are familiar with the term "Hanukkah" think it is a far more important holiday to Jews than it really is. Truth is, it's really not that big a deal. Unlike most other Jewish holidays, its traditions don't even come from the Holy Scriptures. In fact, this is a pretty good take on Hanukkah. That being said, however, I do plan to have a nice family meal this evening and light the first candle.