1. According to the Book of Maccabees, some Maccabees
lived on plant foods to "avoid being polluted like
the rest" when they hid in the mountains to avoid
capture.
2. The foods associated with Channukah, latkes
(potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (fried donuts)
are vegetarian foods, and the oils that are used in
their preparation are a reminder of the oil used in
the lighting of the Menorah in the rededication of
the Temple.
3. Chanukah represents the triumph of non-conformity.
The Maccabees fought for their inner beliefs, rather
than conforming to external pressure. They were willing
to say: This I believe, this I stand for, this I am
willing to struggle for. Today, vegetarians represent
non-conformity. At a time when most people in the
wealthier countries think of animal products as the
main part of their meals, when McDonald's and similar
fast food establishments are expanding, vegetarians
are resisting and insisting that there is a better,
healthier, more humane diet.
4. Chanukah represents the victory of the few, who
practiced God's teachings rather than the values of
the surrounding society, over the many. Today vegetarians
are a very small minority in most countries, but they
believe that, consistent with God's original diet
(Genesis 1:29), and religious mandates to preserve
our health, treat animals with compassion, protect
the environment, preserve natural resources, and share
with hungry people, vegetarianism is the dietary approach
most consistent with Jewish values.
5. Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the oil
that was enough for only one day, but miraculously
lasted for eight days. A switch to vegetarianism on
the part of the world's people could result in an
even greater miracle: the end of the scandal of world
hunger which results in the death of an estimated
20 million people annually, while over a third of
the world's grain is fed to animals destined for slaughter.
6. It is interesting that the ratio of eight days
that the oil burned compared to the one day of burning
capacity that the oil had is the same ratio (8 to
1) that is often given for the pounds of grain that
are necessary to produce a pound of edible beef in
a feed lot. The miracle of the oil brings the use
of fuel and other resources into focus, and vegetarian
diets make resources go much further, since far less
water, fuel, land, pesticides, fertilizer, and other
agricultural resources are required for plant-based
diets than for animal-centered diets.
7. Chanukah also commemorates the rededication of
the Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the
Syrian-Greeks. The Hebrew root of the word Chanukah
means dedication. Today, a shift to vegetarianism
can be a major factor in the rededication and renewal
of Judaism, because it would show that Jewish values
are relevant to everyday Jewish life and to addressing
current problems, such as hunger, pollution, resource
scarcity, and soaring health care expenditures.
8. Candles are lit during each night of Chanukah,
symbolizing a turning from darkness to light, from
despair to hope. According to the prophet Isaiah,
the role of Jews is to be a "light unto the nations"
(Isaiah 42:6). Vegetarianism can be a way of adding
light to the darkness of a world with slaughterhouses,
factory farms, and vivisection laboratories, as well
as other symbols of oppression.
9. Chanukah commemorates the deliverance of the
Jews from the Syrian Greeks. So, today, vegetarianism
can be a step toward deliverance from modern problems
such as hunger, pollution, and resource scarcities.
10. On the Sabbath during Chanukah, the prophetic
portion indicates that difficulties can best be overcome
"not by might and not by power, but by my spirit,
says the Lord of hosts" (Zechariah 4:6). Today, Jewish
vegetarians are arguing that the way to a better world
is not by exercising our power over animals, but by
applying the spirit of God, "whose tender mercies
are over all of His creatures" (Psalm 145:9).
11. The Hebrew root of the word Chanukah also means
education, Jewish vegetarians believe that if Jews
were educated about the horrible realities of factory
farming and the powerful Jewish mandates about taking
care of our health, showing compassion to animals,
protecting the environment, conserving resources,
and helping hungry people, they would seriously consider
switching to vegetarian diets.
12. At the morning services during each day of Chanukah,
there is a recitation of Hallel, the psalms of praise
from Psalm 113 to 118. During the Sabbath of Chanukah
and every other Sabbath during the year, the morning
service has a prayer that begins, "The soul of all
living creatures shall praise God's name". Yet, it
is hard for animals to join in the praise of God when
annually in the United States alone over 9 billion
animals are killed for their flesh after suffering
from cruel treatment on factory farms.