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Hanukkah orthe eight-day Jewish celebration

2013 Hanukkah is November 27, thru December 5, 2013. Hanukkah or Chanukah The Eight-Day Jewish Celebration usually occurs in either November or December and celebrates the

rededication during the 2^nd Century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem where according to legend Jews rose up against the Greeks-Syrian who oppressed them and was the cause for the Maccabean Revolt. Hanukkah or Chanukah is also known as the Festival of Lights and during this holiday the lighting of the menorah signifies those lights. Hanukkah or Chanukah is steeped in tradition of foods, games, and gifts.

Hanukkah or Chanukah The Eight-Day Jewish Celebration has a miracle associated with its’ celebration. That miracle was witness during the Second Temple rededication by Judah Maccabee and others. There was only enough olive oil to keep the candles burning for a day, the flame instead burned for eight-day leaving enough time to find more olive oil to fuel the candles. Because of this flickering of one candle for 8 days it inspired the Jewish sages to proclaim a celebration that lasted for 8 days during future yearly festivals.

This claim was not believed by all Jews and it created a civil war between the two camps of Jews. One camp wanted traditional Jewish customs where the other camp wanted to assimilate Jews in the current surrounding culture of Greek and Syrian customs. In the end the traditional camp by Judah Maccabee’s prevailed. They remained an independent Jewish kingdom for over 100 years.

Hanukkah or Chanukah celebration revolves around the lighting of a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as the Hanukkah. At sunset of each day of the 8 day holiday another candle is added to the menorah, the ninth candle, called the Shamash, which the “helper”, is used for lighting of the other candles. Blessings are recited during the ritual. The menorah is displayed in full view to remind everyone about the miracle that inspired the holiday.

Hanukkah or Chanukah The Eight-Day Jewish Celebration is a relatively minor holiday. Jews go to school, work, or other activities unlike other major Jewish holiday.

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