Shlopping for Chanuka?

by Rabbi Yisrael Rubin

The approach of Chanuka has many people shlepping and shopping (shlopping for short) around the malls for gifts.

Even if you're sitting at home in a comfortable chair with your feet up and a cup of tea in hand, perusing a catalogue or surfing the net for great gift ideas, it can still be a shlep to shop for Chanuka!

Whether you're driving around looking for a parking space or checking out the bargains in cyberspace, shlopping can take hours upon hours and can be very tiring.

Shlopping is especially draining, confusing and exhausting with all that goes on in the malls at this time of the year during the end of the shlopping days countdown.

Actually, shlopping malls may be the most inappropriate place to find the most appropriate Chanuka gift. The seasonal decorations, the rush and hassle, the here-today- gone-tomorrow trendiness of items ornately displayed in store windows, can detract from the Chanuka spirit.

Chanuka celebrates the triumph of the little cruse of purity over crass materialism. The Maccabees fought and were victorious in a battle of quality over quantity. They dedicated themselves to preserving Jewish identity and to resisting alien influences.

We can shop and shop, but not all that glitters is gold. A true Chanuka gift should have some inner content, not only superficial wrappings, fancy labels and pricey tags. Our family and friends certainly deserve more on Chanuka than just shlopping bags full of gizmos.

But can anyone hear us above all the noise? How can we focus on the true meaning of Chanuka amid all the surrounding sights and sounds, muzak and color?

The following proposed announcement may sound a little shloppy, but let's try to get someone's attention with it.

"Attention Shloppers! We draw your attention to a special in the Chanuka department.

"Remember: It's the thought that counts. Give something with meaning.

"Gone are the days when the only Jewish toy was a wobbly lead dreidle. We've come a long way.

"Experience the explosion of Jewish creativity. Go into your local Judaica store (or visit them online) and choose from a large and attractive selection of Jewish games, toys, art & crafts, books, tapes, software and CDs, with real, authentic Jewish content.

"Our rich and exciting heritage can come alive for Jewish kids of all ages. Give gifts that are educational and entertaining - the best of both worlds."

Shlep a friend along with you on this new Chanuka shlopping adventure.


Rabbi Yisrael Rubin is director of Chabad of the Capital District, Albany, NY