Neal Katz: Music

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ON THE AIR
by Neal Katz 

It was the day before Chanukah and all the plans were set 
There were latkes in the fryer, but they were not ready yet
There were dreidles on the table, decorations in the hall
I was counting out my gelt when I received that special call 

Hey rabbi, can you come down to the TV station soon
We want you to talk about Chanukah for our show that airs at noon
I said I’ll be right over and I was on my way
To share the story of the miracle for their viewership that day 

But oh, Judah Maccabee
You fought so hard so we could be free 

They had questions they would ask me about the holiday
About lamps and lights and oil and dreidles and menorahs on display

All about the history - anything that I would share

And I would teach the audience, a great miracle happened there. 

But before the segment started, the well-dressed anchor turned to me.
Hey rabbi I have a question, something I just want to see

All my life I’ve known this holiday to start with the letter "H"

We said Happy Hanukah to our Jewish friends on this very special date 

But now I’m deeply troubled, and it bothers me so
Everywhere I look it starts with "CH" - don’t know which way to go

Is Chanukah spelled with an "H" - or with a "CH" - please make it clear

Come on rabbi, I want to get it right, I don’t want to offend this year 

But oh, Judah Maccabee
You fought so hard so I could be on TV 

I said either one is acceptable, they both say the same thing
Hanukah and Chanukah both have the same ring

But if you really want to be correct - "CH" is the right bet

It’s the proper transliteration of the Hebrew letter "Chet" 

But I understand that people find it difficult to say
The sound the "Chet" makes - and so "H" will do okay

Whichever works for you is fine I said so do not despair

The anchor sat back, smiled, and said thanks for clearing up the air 

And so with new found confidence, he turned to me to say
Have a very Happy Hanukah on this very Holy day

I said, why thank you - what a nice thing to do

May I return the offer - and wish a very Merry CHristmas to you