" TWAS THE FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH"
Twas the first night of Hanukkah, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even
a mouse. The Menorah was placed on our table with care, in hopes that our evening visitor would soon
be here. Mama in her kerchief and I in my Yarmulke, had just settled down for the first night of
Hanukkah. When up on the rooftop there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the
matter. I put my robe on and ran towards the door, slipped on a banana peel and fell flat on the floor.
I picked myself up and ran out into the night, I looked up toward the roof and beheld a great sight.
An awesome warrior on his fearsome white steed, I knew it could only be Judah the Maccabee!
He got off his horse and jumped down from the roof, looked all around and said, "Oi Vey, I sure must of
goofed!" "I was headed toward Jerusalem but my horse turned aside, and then landed here" he said with
a sigh! I opened my mouth and this I did say; "Yo Judah, welcome to the U.S. of A." "You might as well
come in for a while, In my house you can stay"
Well Judah came in with a sack on his back, and headed for the kitchen to lay out some snacks. Out from
the sack came so many things, latkes and apple sauce, gefelte fish and more, crackers and cheese, and
hamantashens galore. "Hamantashens" I asked, "On Hanukkah?" "Why not?" said Judah,
grinning from ear to ear,
, "They're good anytime of the year!" With the sack now empty he looked at the time, he left out
the door and to the roof top he climbed. "Got to go now, I am Jerusalem bound". He mounted his steed
and rode out of sight, saying "Happy Hanukkah to all and to all a good night!"
by Rabbi Ben Avraham