If you’re one of the many breathlessly anticipating the opening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens this Friday, December 18 (I happen to be married to one of them), here’s a little tidbit to tide you over.

Continuing a grand tradition that stretches all the way back to Mel Brooks’ Spaceballs and “May the Schwartz be with you,” aish.com traces the sometimes elusive path between Jediism and Judaism, pausing along the way to ponder the similarity between two bands of rebels fighting an evil empire in a time and place far, far away (one of whom is, of course, the Maccabees, whose rebellion against the Seleucid Empire is celebrated every Hanukkah), the linguistic connection between Yoda and Yiddish, and the various parallels (some more tenuous than others) between the concept of the Force and other tenants of the Jedi universe, and the principles of Kabbalah. Enjoy!