Lighting the World

A bit odd how after so much time, a lot of the world is still trying to find the switch to keep the lights on. The holidays are here again, shorthand for “Holy days”. Judaism celebrates Chanukah, the miracle of the Temple’s menorah burning for eight days on one day’s supply of oil, hence, the Festival of Lights. Christianity celebrates Christmas, the birth of Christ, the “light of the world”. Bible scholars debate spiritual tenets of the great religions, but to simple laymen, Chanukah and Christmas offer a glimpse into a practical difference between Judaism and Christianity when it comes to lighting. Jerusalem, it would appear, preferred overland transport to bring it oil because round trip sea voyages of that time far exceeded the eight days that were needed to re-supply the Temple. Christendom, on the other hand, seems to have preferred carrying its light to the world largely by sea transport. This can be inferred from evidence that suggests Jesus’ secular occupation before beginning His ministry might not have been carpenter but rather, boat builder.

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