Day 6/8: The Power Of Local Government

Day 1/8: Boris The Terrible Celebrates Hanukkah And Infiltrates Ohr Somayach

Day 2/8: Boris Is Inspired By the Greeks And Fixes The Dreidels

Day 3/8: The Latke-tostraphe Of Intermittent Fasting

Day 4/8: Boris Hellenizes The Chocolate Coins

Day 6/8: The Power Of Local Government

Perhaps the local government in Chelm could help Boris ruin Hanukkah. Just like the Greek government had persecuted the Jews, in the Hanukkah story. But how could Boris possibly accomplish this in Chelm?

It occurred to Boris that he lived Chelm, in a democracy with freedom of speech. Even the craziest ideas could get a hearing. With this idea in mind, Boris approached the local fire department with a clever proposal. Maybe the city of Chelm should make a ban on lighting flames at home, in order to ensure safety. Just in time for Hanukkah.

Boris had never cared about fire safety prior to this idea. His ignorant misconceptions led to a comedy of errors.

First of all, he was shocked to find out that both the mayor and fire chief in Chelm were women. Boris had met the mayor before, but he'd always assumed that the fire chief in Chelm was a man.

While not Jewish herself, she was an enlightened person who knew quite a bit about Jewish law. Her response to Boris’s ban proposal was like a masterclass in responsive and responsible governance. Firstly, she extinguished the idea of banning candle lighting at home, especially right before Hanukkah, although she was passionate about fire safety.

Secondly, sadly for Boris, the Fire Chief hadn't had a chance to talk about Hanukkah for almost a year. She knew a lot of random laws, and was excited to share them with Boris, who obviously knew nothing about Hanukkah.

(She didn't know that he had infiltrated Ohr Somayach. He didn't want to mention it, anyway. It hadn't helped him, because he spent the entire time trying to interpret everything he learned as negatively as possible.)

The fire chief explained to Boris that the menorah should be similar to the Menorah in the Temple, and hence most authorities forbid using electric lights or gas lamps. ¹

Sadly for Boris, the Fire Chief hadn't had a chance to talk about Hanukkah laws in years. She happily told Boris everything she remembered about lighting the menorah. The light should be clear, and the wicks should not flicker. Wax candles are also acceptable, providing they have a single wick. By the way, all wicks are acceptable, but it is best to use cotton. And the same wicks may be used over and over again.

The Fire Chief even offered to explain why an oil menorah should be made of glass or metal. Boris, already feeling overwhelmed with the depth of information, glanced at his phone and, seizing the moment, excused himself by mentioning a sudden family emergency. Boris resolved to avoid the fire chief in the future.

Boris had discovered that, in a democratic country, local government leaders can be the unsung heroes keeping cultural candles and local traditions burning bright.

🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎🕎

1. https://ohr.edu/yhiy/article.php/1304

You'll have to read the link from Ohr Somayach to find out the true reason. Okay, fine, for your Hanukkah present, I will copy the part you are looking for right here for you:

It is correct to have a Menorah of glass or metal if one is lighting with oil, since other substances such as clay become disgusting after one use. If one can afford it, it is correct to buy a beautiful Menorah.

Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu