Posted in Holidays

As I mentioned yesterday it is customary to eat Dairy foods during Chanukah in honor of Yehudit.  Since her story isn't very well known I thought I would tell it.

First let me say that the story of Yehudit is quasi-legend (but don't let it get around that I said so!).  It was passed orally for centuries, but then some written copies were found of it as well.  These copies were in Hebrew and a Greek translation.  No one knows exactly when she lived, but it is believed that she was a daughter of Yochanon, the High Priest who Antiochus had removed, and that her story took place during Chanukah.  So we celebrate her now.

Yehudit was a young Jewish widow who lived in the town of Bethulia in northern Judea.    She was known for her kindness, good deeds and acts of charity - as well as her devoutness.

Then the Syrian-Greek Army invaded with Holofernes at it's helm.  He was a merciless invader, destroying all men, women and children in his path.  The Jews fought bravely but were no real match.  He closed off all access to food and water to the residents and they were in great despair.  Their faith was wavering and they wanted to surrender.  Uzzia was leader of the Jews and he convinced the townspeople to wait it out 5 more days.

Yehudit went to Uzzia and said that she had a plan, and asked if she could leave the town and go see Holfernes.  At first Uzzia refused, but eventually gave in, and let her go to what they believed would be her death.

The townspeople all prayed for Yehudit as she left the town, dressed in her finest clothes,  with a basket of cheese and wine.  She told the sentries that she had come to see Holfernes, and due to her beauty she was allowed in.

She told Holfernes that she wanted to help him capture the town, if he would be merciful with the survivors.  She said that since her husband had died, the town had become unbearable, so she had wanted to meet the general.

She told him that the people were desperate, but had unwavering faith and would never surrender.  But they were running out of food and would soon have to turn to non-kosher animals.  When they did that, G-d would be angry with them and the town would fall.  Yehudit promised to spy for Holfernes and tell him when they had started eating non-kosher animals so that he could storm the walls of the city.

Holfernes was captivated by Yehudit and gave orders that she not be harmed and that he would marry her when the battle had been won.  So she was now able to walk back and forth to the town without fear of being harmed.  Everyday she went up to the town gate and told the townspeople to be strong that she had won Holfernes' trust.  Holfernes, though, secure in his victory, spent his days getting drunk with his aids.

On the 3rd day, Holfernes called Yehudit and asked for news.  She told him that they had run out of kosher food that day and within 2 days they would resort to non-kosher food.  Thrilled by the news, Holfernes said he wanted to celebrate -alone with Yehudit, and she agreed.

Yehudit brought her wine and cheese to his tent that night and told him that she had been saving this for just the occassion.  She fed him chunk after chunk of the cheese, which was of course salty and made him thirsty.  She satisfied his thirst with her strong wine.  Until he was sprawled on the ground - dead drunk.

She prayed to G-d asking him for strength.  Then she took Holfernes' heavy sword and brought it down on his neck, decapitating him.

She wrapped up the head and hid it under her cloak and walked back to the town slowly, so as not to arouse suspicion.

She then brought the head to Uzzia, and told him that they needed to attack the enemy camp at once.  They would be surprised and not even know that Holfernes was dead yet.  When the enemy finds Holfernes' body they will all flee for their lives.

Which is exactly what happened - and was a key turning point in the revolt against the Greeks.

We celebrate the heroism of that brave woman, whose thoughts and actions were only for her people and for her G-d. That is the reason that cheese is eaten during Chanukah, to remember the heroism of that righteous woman, Yehudit.