Although I am not of the Jewish faith, many of my friends are. I welcome all to explore the Festival of Lights and learn about this holiday!
History of the Festival of Lights
Chanukah (or, Hanukkah), the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by those of Jewish belief between the end of November and the end of December. Because Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the starting date on the western calender varies from year to year. The Festival of Lights celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel.
Once upon a time in the land of Judea, there was a Syrian king by the name of Antiochus. This king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God, their religion and beliefs, as well as their customs, and to worship instead, the Greek gods. There were those who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee.
Judah and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word "Maccabee," which means hammer. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and to remove the hated Greek symbols and statues. And so, on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple was rededicated. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the N'er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never be extinguished. Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for eight days.
Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The word Chanukah means "rededication." In America, families celebrate Chanukah at home. They give and receive gifts, decorate the house, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday menorah
The Menorah
The Chanukah menorah is called a HANUKIYAH. It has nine candle holders. There are eight candles, one for each night of Chanukah. The ninth is called the SHAMASH. The Shamash is used to light the other eight candles. The Shamash is lit first and then is used to light the other candles. The candles are placed in the HANUKIYAH from right to left. But when the candles are lit, you light from left to right.
The Dreidel
One of the best known symbols of Chanukah is the Dreidel. A dreidel is a four sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The four letters are: SHIN, HEY, GIMEL, NUN
The letters mean "A Great Miracle Happened There." However, in Israel, the dreidel is a bit different in that their letters mean " A Miracle Happened here." Dreidel is also a popular game played during Chanukah. Players use such things as pennies, nuts, raisins, or chocolate coins (gelt) as tokens or chips. The player spins the dreidel. When the dreidel stops, the letter that is facing up decides the fate.
NUN - nothing happens - next player spins the dreidel
GIMEL - player takes all tokens in the pot
HAY - player takes half of the pot
SHIN - player must put one token into the pot
Some Links
 Play an online Dreidel Game! |
Virtual Hanukkah |
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