Wednesday, December 5, 2007

25 Kislew 5768: Ḥanukkah/International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development/The Day of the Ninja

Greetings.

Worthy cause of the day: “The Senate must do its part”. Yes, expecting the US government to do anything of substance to stop the genocide in the Sudan may be a bit optimistic, but if we do not, as voters, insist they do something, the chances they will do nothing are greater.

Today’s news and commentary, some of which Barry is responsible for:Because today is (besides the first day of Hanukkah) the Day Of the Ninja, today’s weird thing is Ask A Ninja. I am not clear what connection there is between Hanukkah and the Day of the Ninja. Perhaps it is because Hanukkah celebrates the military victory of the Hashmona’im (Hasmoneans) over the Syrian-Greeks during the Second Temple Period. Like ninjas, Hashmona’im were warriors. However, unlike ninjas, the Hashmona’im were not assassins, but were fighting for the independence and religious freedom of Israel. Also, religio-ethnic pride requires me to say that in a fight between the Hashmona’im and ninjas, the Hashmona’im would win. (One of them killed an elephant. How many ninjas can claim that? The Hashmona’im could also take down pirates, too.) Still, enjoy and share the weirdness.

Aaron

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