Dear Congregation Beth Ohr,
Happy Hannukah! I wrote a song in English this week, about our ancestor Judith of Bethulia. While most Jews don't know her story today, in past generations, her story was part of how women passed down Hannukah stories and traditions to their families. Ashkenazi women in Europe recited Megillat Yehudit, a Medieval Yiddish version of the apocryphal Book of Judith. They fried cheese pancakes in memory of her act of heroism (remember that potatoes only came to Europe 400 years ago!). Sefardi women held special celebrations for Rosh Hodesh Tevet, which falls in the middle of Hannukah, telling their daughters about Judith through story and song.
So who was Judith, and what did she do?
CLICK HERE to listen to Judith of Bethulia
Music, words, and recording by Cantor Sarah Myerson (voice, banjolele, Rhodes)
Based on the apocryphal Book of Judith
Holofernes and his mighty army laid siege to Bethulia.
After a month, there was no more water. The Jews cried to their leader, Uzziah,
He gave them his promise: five more days with God, they’d plead.
Then they could surrender, if God didn’t intercede.
Judith, a wise and pious widow, rebuked the elders for their heresy.
She said, “God will rescue Israel, and the avenger will be me!”
She prayed to God for guidance, prepared a bag of wine and cheese,
She left the town with her handmaid, looking for Holofernes.
Judith, our Hannukah heroine!
She saved us from death and destruction!
When it was tough to be a Jew,
Judith knew just what to do:
She risked her life for me and you!
Judith of Bethulia
Holofernes’ guards brought them to his tent; Judith pretending that she was a spy.
He believed her and trusted her advice: she would tell him when victory was nigh.
She left the camp at midnight, three nights in a row,
To wash and pray to God, with her hand maid in tow.
The fourth night, they had a private banquet (Holofernes had one goal in his sight).
Judith fed him lots of salty pancakes, he drank and drank, to her delight.
When he was drunkenly sleeping, Judith cut off his head.
She left the camp with her hand maid, carrying a bag that bled.
Judith, our Hannukah heroine…
When Bethulia saw the severed head, everyone bowed low and worshiped God.
Their mighty enemy killed by a widow, they praised Judith, humbled and awed.
Meanwhile the enemy army found the headless remains.
They fled home in disgrace, the end of their failed campaigns.
Judith led the people dancing, singing the ballad of her tale:
The enemy brought down by a widow, sleeping after drinking too much ale.
After this harrowing episode, Israel faced no more strife.
Judith freed her hand maid, enjoyed a long quiet life.
Judith, our Hannukah heroine…
If you're looking ahead to the week after Hannukah, and wondering how to connect Jewishly after the holiday, I would highly recommend Yiddish New York, a festival of music, dance, theater, food, etc on the Lower East Side. There are workshops and lectures during the day December 23-28, and concerts every evening. Let me know if you're interested, and perhaps we can organize transit together!
Shabbat Shalom and Hag Hannukah Same'ah,
Cantor Sarah Myerson
Affiliated with United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism