The Cubs In Haiku: Chanukah Miracles

To all those like me,
Cubs fans who light menorahs
Happy Chanukah

G-d did miracles
For us back in ancient days
We need some right now

Read the rest at Chicago Sports In Haiku

Chanukah – Second Night

Put oil in the pan
Start grating those potatoes
We’re making latkes

Today’s song is “Latke Clan” by The LeeVees  from their album Hanukkah Rocks

Chanukah – First Night

Night one is Shabbat
Remember, Chanukah first
And then Sabbath lights

I complained yesterday about the lack of good Chanukah music.  But, in fact, there are some great Chanukah songs.    Just to prove it, I”ll post one for each night of Chanukah, along with a haiku (of course) somewhat related to the song.  All but today’s will be in video form – unfortunately I couldn’t find a decent online video version for today’s song.

Enjoy … and Chag Chanukah Sameach

Today’s song is a rocking version of the Chanukah blessings from the album Barenaked for the Holidays by the band Barenaked Ladies – who aren’t naked and aren’t ladies.

(click here to load the on-line player – once the page loads, just click the play button near the upper right corner)

Orrin Hatch’s Chanukah Song

Orrin Hatch has penned
A Chanukah song for us
I’m not a big fan

Rasheeda Azar, Sen. Orrin Hatch, and Madeline Stone singing 'Eight Days of Hanukkah' CREDIT: Tablet Magazine

.

Senator Orrin Hatch, a Mormon, has written a Chanukah song.  Maybe you’ll enjoy it, but personally I’m not so excited.  I hope it’s not politics affecting my musical critique, but it’s almost like he wrote this just to remind us that Christmas songs are so much better than what we have for Chanukah.  They get “White Christmas”, written by a Jew … we get this, written by a Mormon.

Click on the picture, or on this link, to read more about it and see the video at Tablet Magazine

Vayeishev

Mrs. Potiphar
Was the “cougar” of her day
Seducing Joseph

The young man said, “no”
Resisted her advances
But still went to jail

Vayishlach

Jacob fears Esau
Who comes with four hundred men
Ready for battle?

That’s not Esau’s plan
The reunion is peaceful
As brothers embrace

Vayeitzei

Seven years of work
Jacob thinks he’ll wed Rachel
That was Laban’s vow

But Laban tricked him
Gave Jacob the older girl
Leah, not Rachel

Then, seven more years
Before Jake would have Rachel
It didn’t seem fair

Jealousy ensues
About Jacob, his twelve sons
And even mandrakes

Toldot

Isaac falls victim
To Jacob and Rebecca’s
Blessing stealing trick

But was Isaac fooled?
He said “the voice is Jacob’s”
Did he really know?

Chayei Sarah

Abe sends his servant
To find a wife for Isaac
Rebecca’s the one

The picture above is from an animated version of this week’s parsha at G-dcast

Vayeira

Even Bob Dylan
Wrote an Akedah midrash
But not in haiku

Oh God said to Abraham, “Kill me a son”
Abe says, “Man, you must be puttin’ me on”
God say, “No.” Abe say, “What?”
God say, “You can do what you want Abe, but
The next time you see me comin’ you better run”
Well Abe says, “Where do you want this killin’ done?”
God says, “Out on Highway 61.”

[from Highway 61 Revisited by Bob Dylan]

Did Abe question G-d
As Dylan suggests he did?
What would you have done?

UPDATE:
Check out this short analysis of Dylan’s midrash:
Classic Rock Meets Midrash