After all, what is there not to understand? You take a bite, chew, and swallow. Repeat this several times until one is six latkes past the saturation state. If one were to challenge the connection of Latkes to Chanukah it would be deemed blasphemous. Thus, few have ventured into the deep mystical symbolism of the Latke. But let me break with tradition...

I don't want to upset Jews in Idaho, but the operative ingredient in the Potato Latke is not the potato; it's the oil. (Proof: Israelis celebrate with the Sufganiya; an oil filled pastry - no potato lobby in Israel.)

To make a long story short, after years of Greek oppression we were mira culously victorious. When we entered our Holy Temple we found that everything was defiled. The services could not be performed until ritually fit materials were procured. One jug of oil was found still sealed by the High Priest, thus being ritually clean. There was enough oil to light the Menorah for only one day, but a miracle occurred and it lasted for eight days.

So, in addition to lighting the Menorah for eight days, we indulge in Potato Latkes, in the hope that the calories of eight days will only count for only one (reverse miracle?).

But on the more serious side, olive oil expresses the secret of our survival. Taking a perfectly good fruit, the olive, and crushing it, produces the oil. Even squeezing is not sufficient; this would produce mere olive juice. When the olive is crushed, this essential substance that floats on top is obtained.

Kabalistically, this oil is a symbol of the essence of the Jewish soul. It may not be revealed at all times, but it is always there. This internal spiritual 'oil' fuels the flame of our soul. It is the essential definition of a Jewish soul; it is our immutable connection with G–d.

There are times in our lives that the olive is crushed. We are placed under immense pressures from within and without that challenge our Judaism. This was the story of Chanukah. A small courageous band of Jews took on the powerful Greek army who wished to obliterate our identity.

This did not make any sense. Compromise would have seemed a more effective route. We were outnumbered by far and had an inferior war apparatus. We could have gone incognito with those performances that offended the Greeks.

What made us think we could pull this off? Nothing! It was not a rational decision.

So often we live our life without taking into account that we really are. When someone challenges your very existence it forces you to really take a serious look at your very essence, at what you really are deep inside.

We often compromise what we do, and how we express ourselves. But one cannot compromise or change their very core, what they really are. When our basic values are shaken, we dig deep to discover our true selves.

This is the oil; it hides and is almost invisible inside the fruit. But when push comes to shove, when it is broken and crushed, the essence comes out, and it floats on top of all else.

Going thought life, we get caught up in external trappings. Our intellect often inhibits our true self. This is necessary to grow and advance.

However, we must always take time to return to one's true self. If we do not, someone else will bring us back by questioning and challenging our existence.

During the Chanukah story, all superficial aspects of Judaism seemed bleak.

Unfortunately, a number of our people actually assimilated into the Greek culture. (The descendants of those who did, are not reading this article.) The Greeks instituted stifling decrees upon religious observance. If we were to give up who we were, they would allow the bodies to continue to live. If we would only hand over the oil....

This ultimate challenge to our essence called out the most inward core spark of the Jewish people. Present in the depth of every soul, this is called the 'Pintele Yid' --the Essential Jewish Self.

Jewish survival prevailed, and corresponding to this essential self, we were granted a miracle of oil. The Holy Temple was eventually to be destroyed, together with the seven branched Menorah. But the Chanukah Menorah of eight branches has continued to illuminate the darkness through the long exile.

Now, finish eating that Latke before it gets cold!