Potato Latkes: Celebrating the Miracle of the Oil

Recently, I was at an annual lunch with a doctor and staff who I worked with for years. While chatting and catching up with everyone, Dr. E. turned to me and asked if I could make potato latkes for his upcoming Hanukkah party. To be honest, I was caught off guard, but if you know me, I could not say anything other than YES! I have never made a potato latke in my life, nor did I have any understanding of the significance of this potato pancake that I would be making and how it would signify the miracle of the oil in the Menorah.

After settling in back home, I began to research traditional Jewish recipes for making Potato Latkes. In exploring these ingredients, I came upon this traditional Jewish dish, and I was astonished! You see, it was not just the story of the latkes that I found but it had to do with the oil in general.  Over the past week, while in prayer, I began to ask the Father what it was that I needed to balance my body. I had been researching different supplements and the Holy Spirit directed me to essential oils. Specifically, frankincense, myrrh, and cinnamon. Throughout the Bible we find that frankincense was used in the temple and added to burnt offerings while myrrh was one of the oils used in the anointing oils of the Bible. Both oils were used for divine blessings. All three of the above ingredients were used in the holy anointing oil. This oil along with cassia and olive oil compounded together make the holy anointing oil that was used to anoint the Tabernacle of God. This oil was used for many things including sanctification– to set apart. It was also used for priests, kings, people and objects.

I believe God was leading me up to discover more of who He is through a journey using Dr. E, Hannukah and the use and purposes of the oils of the Bible. He knew I would go down the “rabbit hole” to see what He had for me to discover! Today these same oils play key roles in our lives when we are in need. They also remind us of our Omnipotent God! I am learning that when God wants to point things out to us, He will use all things to get our attention.

Along the way I discovered how important the menorah is and how this miracle lighting signifies how through the Holy Spirit that we receive and pass on what God is doing in us to others. The lighting of this candelabra, the menorah, has much symbolism and imagery attached to it. It has a story of its own. God’s faithfulness shows up everywhere if we focus our eyes to see. The story of Hanukkah shows us in detail about the “silent years” in Biblical times: a war, a rededication to the temple after it had been upheaval, and the lighting of the menorah. The menorah is a multi-branched candle holder used in the temples in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah Menorah has 9 candles on it. There are 8 that symbolize the amount of days that the light blazed, and the ninth holder is used to light the other candles.

After the restoration of the temple, the Jewish people were ready to light the menorah but only had enough oil to last for a single day. The oil required in the temple was a specific, sacred, pure oil. There was a process involved to get this oil. This is much like our own lives today and the process we go through, being refined in the fire to become pliable or moldable to the Lord. Not having enough oil did not stop the Maccabees from lighting the menorah. They decided to let this candle burn as long as it would and through their faith, God performed a supernatural miracle. The oil that was left to light the candle for one day burned for eight days! The potato latkes that are eaten during Hanukkah signify the miracle that occurred all those years ago. The oil that the latkes are fried in signifies the miraculous oil God supplied! This miracle is what Hanukkah is all about. The miracle was a sign from God saying I am here… I will never leave or forsake you…I am always in your midst! Today, this celebration is called “The Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.” It is also known as the “Festival of Lights.”

For all Christian believers who have received Jesus at salvation, the Holy Spirit is symbolic of this flame.  This is how God imparts His Spirit to us and how we impart to others. We are the vessel, the menorah that carries the Spirit of God within. We are never alone. The fire will never go out from us and will continue to burn until we fulfill our destinies here on earth. The Holy Spirit keeps us kindled. We have been set aside for the Lord’s use. Christ is the central candle of the menorah, and we are the recipients. This is a reminder of the promises of God. He never changes.

This journey has shown me the importance of knowing God at a deeper level. He wants us to explore Him. We must get to know Him intimately to receive a deeper insight into what the Holy Spirit wants to release to us. This is how we connect to the heart of God. This is how our candle keeps burning. This is how our desires change and more truth is found. This story of Hanukkah promotes a new hope in us to seek and find the Lord. The story shows us that this same oil is available to us today who hunger for more of Him. We are the light of the world.

So…I bet you all are wondering how the latkes turned out. Well, after talking to Dr. E., and getting specific instruction on what they traditionally should look like, I began preparing the recipe. They were a lot harder and time consuming than I expected. I guess I did not know what exactly I was getting into.

The first thing I had to do was peel a bag of potatoes and then hand shred each potato. Even though my arm and hand were getting very tired, I was so excited to be able to partake in this Hanukkah party. Not only was I able to help my dear friend, but it felt good to be of service to him. Let me back up a minute. A couple of days prior while at my husband’s Christmas party, I met a coworker of his that was Jewish, and I believe this was a divine encounter from God. From that moment I knew we had something in common! She was Jewish and I was making a Jewish dish! I knew that God sent her to my rescue because I was a bit nervous that these little potato pancakes would not turn out. I explained to her all about my journey of making the potato latke for a Hanukkah party and she gave me one key thing to do that would make my latkes turn out perfect! She told me that after shredding the latkes, I needed to squeeze all the excess water out of them with a paper towel. Wow! She was right! Had I not squeezed the water out, they wouldn’t crisp or take color.

My new friend Karina not only shared with me how to make the potato latkes but she shared with me all about her upbringing, traditions and holidays. I was fascinated and felt as if the Bible was coming alive to me in a more relative way. I was caught off guard when she told me that she thought it was great that I asked so many questions about the Jewish culture and wanted to learn all about it. This confirms that God knows what we need when we need it. I am always in awe of how the Holy Spirit moves in my life! All my confidence is in who He is and what I can do to show more of Him.

If you have interest in trying out potato latkes, the recipe is below.

“Michelle’s Miraculous Latkes”

Ingredients

• 2 pounds baking potatoes—peeled, halved and sliced on a turning slicer or shredded, place shredded potatoes in a paper towel and squeeze out all excess water
• 1 medium onion, coarsely grated
• 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Directions

In a bowl, mix the potatoes, onion, flour and eggs; season well with salt and pepper. In a skillet, heat 1/4 cup of the oil until shimmering. Drop about 1/2 cup of the latke mixture into the skillet and spread it slightly. Repeat to make 2 more latkes. Cook over moderately high heat until browned on the bottom, about 7 minutes. Turn and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel. Make 6 more latkes, using the remaining oil and potato mixture. Season with salt and pepper and serve hot.

May God Bless you