“Reviving Judith Menorahs: A Tradition to Celebrate This Hanukkah”

### The Forgotten Heroine of Hanukkah: Judith’s Legacy in Jewish Tradition

#### Introduction
Each year, as the menorahs are illuminated and dreidels spin, the celebration of Hanukkah centers around the miraculous jar of temple oil that lasted eight days and the heroics of the Maccabees. These ancient Jewish warriors vanquished the Assyrian Greeks, reclaiming their freedom and religious autonomy. At the heart of this festival is the menorah, symbolizing light and perseverance. But lost in modern Hanukkah traditions is the story of another powerful figure — Judith.

Once celebrated alongside the Maccabees, Judith has largely disappeared from Hanukkah’s contemporary narrative. Her story — one of cunning, bravery, and leadership — was immortalized for centuries on menorahs and in Jewish lore. Yet, today, many Jewish communities are unaware of her tale. It’s time to shine a light back on this story, rediscovering Judith’s legacy and the lessons she offers for a more inclusive and reflective understanding of Jewish history.

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#### Who Was Judith?
Judith is the young widow who, in the shadow of war, saved her people from destruction. During the Assyrian siege of the town of Bethulia, food supplies dwindled, and the people grew desperate. Judith stepped forward, refusing to accept defeat. She devised an ingenious plan: she adorned herself with her finest attire, infiltrated the enemy camp, and used her charm and cunning to gain an audience with their commanding general, Holofernes.

Armed with courage and a sack filled with salty cheese and wine, Judith offered Holofernes her “hospitality.” The general, enamored by her beauty, devoured the cheese and drank copious amounts of wine to quench his thirst, rendering him drunk and defenseless. While he slept, Judith seized his sword and decapitated him. She carried his severed head back to her town, raising it as a sign of defiance. Disoriented by the loss of their leader, the Assyrians retreated in panic.

Judith’s victory, achieved without bloodshed beyond that of the general, solidified her status as a Jewish heroine. Her story exemplified wisdom, bravery, and resourcefulness, offering a stark contrast to the bloody campaigns often celebrated in antiquity.

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#### Judith in Menorahs and Tradition
For centuries, Judith was a central figure in Hanukkah art and traditions. During the Middle Ages, menorahs often featured her triumphant figure — a lone woman grasping a dagger, symbolizing her pivotal role in saving the Jewish people. This practice extended well into the 19th century, particularly in Italian and German Jewish communities. Judith was often depicted flanked by lions or mythological creatures, symbolizing her courage and the divine protection she embodied.

In addition to her visual commemoration, culinary traditions linked to Judith’s story were popular in many regions. The salty cheese that helped her intoxicate Holofernes inspired the custom of eating dairy during Hanukkah. Italian Jews, for instance, honored her bravery by preparing fried ricotta pancakes, cleverly combining the miracle of the oil with Judith’s dairy-centric tale.

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#### Why Did Judith Disappear from Hanukkah?
Despite her once-celebrated role, Judith gradually faded from the Hanukkah story over the centuries. Several factors contributed to her erasure:

1. **Assimilation and Modernization**:
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as Jewish communities across Europe and America adapted to modern societal norms, Hanukkah traditions shifted to emulate Christmas-like celebrations. The holiday became more child-centric, focusing on gift-giving, decorations, and universal themes of resilience and light. In this transformation, Judith’s complex and mature story was sidelined.

2. **The Rise of Political Zionism**:
Hanukkah gained prominence as Zionist leaders in the late 19th century elevated the Maccabees as the ideal Jewish heroes — strong, militant, and embodying the “muscular Judaism” vision. Figures like Theodore Herzl saw the Maccabees as symbols of Jewish self-determination and defiance, fitting their political agenda. Judith’s story of quiet cunning and nonviolent resistance did not align with this narrative of militaristic masculinity and was consequently downplayed.

3. **Misogyny and Patriarchy**:
At its core, Judith’s marginalization is also a reflection of broader patriarchal trends. Even though Jewish tradition features numerous strong female figures, many were diminished or forgotten in male-dominated religious histories. Judith’s intelligence, autonomy, and leadership likely made her a less palatable role model in traditional societies where such traits in women were not celebrated.

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#### Why Judith Matters Today
In rediscovering Judith’s story, modern Jewish communities can gain a richer, more nuanced understanding of