Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday set aside to commemorate the rededication of the temple of the LORD in the 2nd century BC. Hanukkah is actually considered to be a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar, however it’s become very popular as it falls close to Xmas-time each year.
The Syrian-Greek Emperor Antiochus made the observance of Judaism, a crime punishable by death.
He desecrated the Holy Temple by having an altar to Zeus placed there and had pigs sacrificed.
A rebellion of the Jews, led by the Maccabees (a Jewish priest and his five sons) miraculously managed to defeat their oppressors and rededicate their Temple.
…So the story goes, after the temple was cleaned up and purified they needed olive oil to fuel the light of the menorah but there was only enough for one night. The miracle was it lasted for a full eight nights!
On Hanukkah, Jews celebrate their religious freedom and the great miracle that occurred at the rededication of the Holy Temple! It’s celebrated for eight nights to honor the miracles that occurred at that time.
How do we celebrate Hanukkah? Every community and family has their unique Hanukkah traditions, but there are some traditions that are practically universal. This includes:
Lighting of the Menorah- There is a candle used for lighting the other candles called the Shamash, which has a special place on the menorah. Blessings are said as the candles are being lit. On the first night the first candle on the right is lit. On the second night add a candle to the left of the first candle that was lit on the first night. Light the second candle first. Followed by the light which was lit on the previous night. Each night after an additional candle is added. On the eighth night all eight candles will be lit.
Spinning the Dreidel- The most popular game to play during Hanukkah is dreidel (similar to a top). The dreidel has four sides with Hebrew letters on each side: Nun, Gimel, Hay, and Shin.
Eating fried foods- Potato latkes and doughnuts are the most popular!
When?- On the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah is celebrated on the 25th of Kislev.
Happy Hanukkah!
The Pilgrim Homestead 