The month is one of fasting, piety and reflection for Muslims, marked by heavy midnight meals called Sahur and late-night prayers. At dawn, all snacking stops until sundown, when the fast is broken with dates and milk. The date of this special night is kept secret, however, to prevent part-time piety. Hanukkah represents eight days of light, according to third-year student Shula Warren. In ancient times, Jews cleaning the temple in Jerusalem after a battle with Syrians discovered a small cruse of oil expected to last one night.
Tradition suggests eating foods cooked in oil and playing games like spinning the dreidel.
Three hundred funerals from both sides of the battle lines have put a significant damper on the holidays for those who are closely tied to the ancient land. Now is the time to look more closely at the themes behind a time of giving for all three groups. If there is a greater scheme at work, cramming all three of these faiths into two square miles of holy sites had to be part of it. The fact that all three celebrate holidays of thanks at the same time may or may not be a coincidence. Either way, now is not the time for fighting about it.