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Hanukkah |
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Hanukkah, an eight-day holiday which begins on the 25th day
of the Hebrew month of Kislev (November-December), is observed
in order to commemorate the re-dedication of the Temple in 165 BCE.
In terms of religious significance, the importance of Hanukkah pales
in comparison to that of the High Holidays. At the same time, Hanukkah,
particularly among children, is arguably the most popular holiday in the
Jewish calendar year.
The historical events surrounding Hanukkah, also known as the
Festival of Lights, are well documented in the Bible (Book of
Maccabees 1 and 2) and other contemporary sources.
In the second century BCE, the Greek-Syrian king Antiochus
ordered that all people living in his empire must worship Hellenistic gods.
Since Judah fell within the Syrian empire, this meant that Jews were not able
to practice their religion freely. In an attempt to ensure that the Jews obeyed
this law, Antiochus ordered the removal of both the seven-branched candelabrum
(an important symbol of Judaism since the time of Moses) and all consecrated
oil from the Temple. Pagan statues were subsequently placed in the Temple.
In response to this sacrilege, it is said that Judas Maccabees, a member
of the Hasmonean family which ruled Judah at the time, organized a successful
rebellion against the Syrians in 165 BCE. After regaining control of Jerusalem,
Judas set out to purify or "re-dedicate" the Temple on the 25th of Kislev. In doing so,
he and the Judeans removed the statues and built a new candelabrum. On the 25th
of Kislev, a minute amount of consecrated oil was discovered in the Temple.
The 'Hanukkah miracle' is so called because this small amount of oil lasted for
eight days, at which point newly consecrated oil arrived.
The Festival of Lights is commemorated by the lighting of the Hanukkah
lamp (Hanukiah), a type of menorah which contains eight candleholders
plus a shamash (master light). The holiday begins by the lighting of one
candle on the first night of Hanukkah. On each subsequent night, an additional
candle is lit. Consequently, by the eighth night of the holiday, the Hanukkah
lamp is filled with eight candles. The halakhah (Jewish law) also states that the
Hanukkah lamp cannot serve any kind of practical purpose. This naturally
created a problem for Jews who lived prior to advent of electricity. Consequently,
it became customary to light a special candle, known as the shamash or 'caretaker',
which could be used for performing household chores. In memory of this tradition,
Jews continue to light an extra candle on each day of Hanukkah.
On each day of the holiday, the kindling of the Hanukkah lamp is followed by a
short prayer.
The Hanukkah story is then recounted in both the Amidah prayer and the Grace After Meals.
Over time, certain traditions emerged surrounding this holiday. Among Ashkenazi
Jews (Jews of Northern and Eastern European descent) for example, it has become
customary to eat latkes or potato pancakes. While disapproved by the halakhah,
gambling and card-playing is also common during Hanukkah.
The popularity of Hanukkah results primarily from the attention which it pays to children.
During this holiday, children typically play with a dreidel, a spinning top which contains four
Hebrew letters. These letters are the initials of the Hebrew sentence Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,
which translates as 'A great miracle happened there.' Among Sephardic (Jews of Spanish or
Portuguese descent) families, feasts and competitive games are typically organized for the
enjoyment of the children. Traditionally, on Hanukkah children are also given gifts of money (gelt).
Hanukkah, for many Jews, has become an occasion where gifts are exchanged between all
members of the family.
More information
http://www.zionism-israel.com/holidays/hannuka.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
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