December 2001
Risa's Pieces
Volume 4 Issue 12
Questions I Am Often Asked
Chanukah
First of all, why is it spelled so many different ways? This has to do with the sound that comes at the beginning of the word. There is no direct english translation for the unique gutteral sound. Therefore, it is generally spelled with either an "H" or a "CH".
Hanukah, or Chanukah, or Hanukkah, translates into the words "dedicate" and "beginning".
This holiday got its name from the Maccabees when they regained the Temple. Because the Greeks had desecrated it, the Maccabees rededicated to mark the Temple's new beginning.
Maccabees and miracles
In Jerusalem, the oppression of Jews worsened. Greeks even demanded a statue of Zeus to be built in the Jewish Temple.
It was at this time that a man named Mattisyahu moved his family to Modiin. But, peace for him and his family was only temporary. Greeks eventually showed up in Modiin too. Because Mattisyahu was a respected elder, he was chosen to offer a sacrifice to one of the pagan gods. He refused. However, one of his fellow Jews decided to do the sacrifice anyway.
Mattisyahu, in a fit of anger, killed the Jew and then the Greek soldiers. This was the beginning of the Jewish Revolt.
A year later, his son Judah Maccabee took leadership of the rebellion when his father passed away. Judah was an excellent leader and eventually led a force, known as the Maccabees, to victory in recapturing the Temple. Upon entering the Temple, they found only enough oil to light the Menorah for one day.
Then, a wonderous miracle occured! The oil for one day lit the Temple for eight straight days. This is where we get the eight days of Hanukah.
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Christmas
Christmas, December 25, is another Christian holiday this one marking the birth of Jesus Christ. Decorating homes and yards with lights, putting up trees, giving presents, and sending cards have become traditions even for many non-Christians. Many of today's traditions date back to celebration of the ancient gods of Mesopotamians (the 12 days, gift-giving, float parades all in celebration of their god Marduk), Persians, Babylonians, Greeks (celebrating their god Kronos) , & the Roman worship of one of their gods Saturn in December (where halls were decked with green trees with candles).
The date of the birth of Christ was not exactly known, and the 25th was chosen by the Bishop of Rome possibly to consume existing Roman & Persian religious celebrations on that day & of that season. This helped spread Christianity over competing religions. The Yuletide festival originated in ancient Scandinavia honoring the return of the sunlight to the dark winters of that land, including bonfires and the hanging of apples on trees (now ornaments) to celebrate the arrival of spring and summer.
This months joke:
Question What is at the end of everything?
Answer: The letter G
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Question: How do I analyze my pricing strategy?
Answer: Ask your self these easy questions:
Am I selecting a Realtor based on services or price?
Is the local market rising, falling or staying even?
Is my opinion of value based on the actual neighborhood sale prices?
How many homes in this area are competing against mine right now?
How does my home compare with those in the area?
Have any neighboring homes been on the market too long? Why?
Is my home consistent with, larger than or smaller than the surrounding homes?
Which improvements have I made since purchase that will actually increase value? Which improvements will not?
Are my financial needs influencing my asking price?
Am I willing to price right and stand firm?
What is my gain by buying in the present market?
Are the benefits of moving important enough to price my home at fair market value?
Need help with the answers? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 1-800-699-4901
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