Judith's justice

Judith must be the heroine figure in Judaism; she surely has her legacy on Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights.

This year the eight-day festival started at sundown yesterday, the second candle of the Hanukkah Menorah will be lit today. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the big temple in Jerusalem after the revolt of the Maccabees against the Hellenic Greek oppression. It was Judith's dedication to save her fellows from the ruthless general Holofernes who occupied the big temple that made the reclaim of the Temple possible. 

Judith's understanding of justice was as ruthless as the slayed victim. The beautiful widow seduced the man with wine and cheese; the effect of the salty cheese made the victim quench his thirst with more wine; and inevitably all the wine made him doze off to his final sleep. When Holofernes was in deep sleep, Judith beheaded him and escaped from the enemy grounds with the head of her victim. Her act gave courage to the Israelites to move forward to defeat the terrified troops of Holofernes. The temple was finally saved, thoroughly cleansed and the menorah was lit by the last drops of unpolluted pure oil available, only enough to light the sacred lamp for one night. The new oil would be ready in seven days, but the oil lasted miraculously for the whole eight days. That is why the miracle of oil is the core to all Hanukkah recipes, observed by all Jewish communities worldwide. There has to be a food fried in abundant oil, either sweet or savory, or better both, served for the Hanukkah table. The selection of fried foods can vary according to the country; the usual latkes made with potatoes or jelly filled donuts all have an Ashkenazim connection that originates in European countries. 

If we go back to...