1001 Animations: Chanukah

Show: Rugrats
Episode: S4 E1
Year: 1996

Writer(s): J David Stem, David N. Weiss
Director(s): Raymie Muzquiz


(yes I know I'm two days late for a Channuka release, I don't give a crap, I'm not Jewish)


I just love these Rugrats episodes that delve into the history of Tommy's family, especially when we delve into the Pickles' Jewish heritage, which was very rare. Holidays pertaining to the Jewish faith unlike, say, Christmas, do not have a commercialized version, no icons to mooch from and no greedy corporate swine to line their pockets off of these holy days. Just like the Passover special, the tots are read the history behind the holiday, in this case the Maccabean (or should I say "Maccababyean") revolt against the Greek Seleucid Empire and their hold over the Israelites and Judea. They actually at one point show a pretty cool looking illustration of the battle; never thought I'd see that in Rugrats I tell you what!


Grandpa Boris is supposed to portray Judah in a play at the synagogue but finds his old childhood rival Shlomo will be playing the king! Shlomo is the type of guy who always had to be better than him no matter what, right down to having a business over a family and lording it over Boris for years! Fitting these two would play cat and mouse to one of the greatest battles in the Jewish faith... Meanwhile, the tots learn about the holiday in their own way and hear about this "Meanie of Chanukah" ("You have to *makes hacking sound* when you say that!") and figure the best way to deal with a grownup meanie is to put him down for a nap… ok. As for Angelica, she's one of those modern children who doesn't understand the true meaning of the holidays and thinks Chanukah is just a time when the best Christmas specials come on! She spends the whole episode hell-bent on finding a TV to get her Cynthia Christmas special; she even broke a guys shin to find a TV (by accident, of course).


In the midst of the play, Boris and Shlomo start to fight for real and after Boris calls him out on his dedication to business over familiar pursuits; Shlomo reveals that in spite of the success he's had, he WISHES he had a family like Boris', since his wife had died before she could bear him any children. After a little chaos thanks to Tommy and his gang and Angelica breaks down due to breaking her one TV, we find that Shlomo is surprisingly good with children (after Boris pushes him to read of the Miracle of Chanukah to them, anyways). The dedication and craft put into getting the information correct on the history of this auspicious and horribly overlooked time of the year is beautiful, mixing the usual Rugrats fun with it still being epic from what we do see, not as much as the Passover special but the heart is where this specials really lies. As I am not Jewish, I can't really vouge for how much of this legendary tale is true, but for a menorah of that size to keep its flame for 8 days straight on such little fuel is truly miraculous.


The ending of this one is where it really makes it admirable as Boris and Shlomo put their rivalry to rest to recite the prayer of Chanukah! A true "mirable" if I ever saw one! Also, Stu's little subplot of getting a colossal Menorah float to the play is pretty funny for what's there. Truth be told, I think this is the best way to teach your little ones about the Miracle of Chanukah, as it has some very wonderful heart mixed with the humor and attention to detail. More kids shows should've had the balls to do specials pertaining to Jewish holidays! This is just another reason why Rugrats isn't just one of the best Nicktoons, but the very first, and it's earned that spot!


Rugrats is owned by Klasky-Csupo, Nickelodeon and Viacom.

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