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Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
The real miracle of Hanukkah is that the Jews were victorious, against all odds, they beat their enemy and were able to restore the Ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the Greeks. In a larger context, Hanukkah represents victory against religious persecution and assimilation.
But a second miracle is more commonly known: A story in the Talmud (500 years later) tells of a legendary miracle. After the war, When the Jews returned to rededicate the Ancient Temple, they found that there was only enough oil to keep the eternal lamp burning for 1 day. It would take 8 days to make more of this special oil. So theי lit the lamp, and it miraculously burned for 8 days, giving them plenty of time to make more oil to keep the lamp burning.
This second miracle is very popular with children. It is understood as a legend only, and appears to be the early Rabbis' attempt to add a spiritual level to the holiday.
Answer:
The above answer is non-traditional. Our tradition is that the miracle of the oil did indeed occur and isn't just a legend. If it wasn't for the clear tradition of our Sages, Hanukkah would have been forgotten long ago.
Moreover, on Hanukkah the chief celebration is not for the military victory; it's for the miracle of the oil (Talmud, Shabbat 21b).
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Wiki User
∙ 7y agoSee also: How is Hanukkah celebrated?
The Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks) under Antiochus Epiphanes (2nd century BCE), at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices such as Sabbath-observance and circumcision, rededicated the Jewish Temple to a Greek idol, and pressed the Jews to offer up sacrifices to the idol. One of the leading elder Jewish sages called upon the people to keep observing the Torah anyway; and if necessary, to use force in resisting the decrees.When a Hellenized Jew offered a sacrifice to the Greek idols in a nearby village, the sage killed him as well as the Greek overseer. This brought a violent reaction from the Greeks; and the loyal Jews, led by the Hasmonean family, were forced to retreat from their towns and strike out at the Greeks in an attempt to oust them from the Holy Land and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. The Torah-Jews were heavily outnumbered by the attacking Greek armies, but God gave them miraculous victories again and again.
After three years of struggle, the Greek armies retreated from Jerusalem, and the Hasmoneans (also called Maccabees) entered the Holy Temple which the Greeks had defiled, reconsecrated it to God, and began the Temple service once more.
Among other things, they wanted to relight the olive oil candelabrum (Exodus ch.25), but could only find one day's supply of undefiled oil - and it would take eight days to make and bring some more. Miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for eight days (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence was still there. The Torah-community was overjoyed, because God's presence meant everything to them. This is what Hanukkah represents: the closeness to God; and the avoidance of Hellenization (assimilation).
The Torah-Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). This is why we light our Hanukkah-menorahs. (The Hanukkah-menorah, or hanukkiyah, is a special form of the original seven-branched menorah. Our Hanukkah-menorahs have eight spaces for oil, or candles, to mark each of the eight days for which the oil lasted, and a ninth to hold the shamash, a candle used to light the others.)
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory and rededication of the Temple, while the candle-lighting commemorates the miracle of the oil. Though the military victory is prominently mentioned in the prayers, it wouldn't have been celebrated if not for the miracle of the oil.
It should also be noted that the main goal for which the Maccabees fought was not political independence. They fought to enable the people to observe the Torah's commandments; as we say in the Al Hanisim prayer: "The Greeks sought to cause us to forget Your Torah and leave Your statutes."
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What time does the Hanukkah party start?
There is no specific Hanukkah party. Some people have parties on Hanukkah and some don't. If there is a party on hanukkah, it can be on any one of the 8 nights, at any time.
What are some names for Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the only name for Hanukkah, but it is sometimes called the Festival of Lights by non-Jews.
What are some good Hanukkah drinks?
Anything you want. There are no traditional drinks for Hanukkah.
What are some of the things that people do on Hanukkah?
some of the things they do on Hanukkah are eat the traditional foods and say the blessings and light the candles.
What kind of music do they listen to during Hanukkah?
Some families listen to Hanukkah music on Hanukkah. But most families just sing the Hanukkah songs. For more information, see related links.
What are some Hanukkah CANDLES?
any candles can be hanukkah candles, as long as they fit in the Chanukiah (Hanukkah menorah) and burn at least 1/2 hour.
Was king herod in the story of Hanukkah?
The events of Hanukkah occurred some 150 years before his time.
Retail stores consider of business in Hanukkah?
Yes. Some retail stores provide Hanukkah products.
What is the actual name of the holiday Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the actual name, but some refer to it also as the festival of lights.
What entertainment do they have at Hanukkah?
Hanukkah usually involves small family parties. Sometimes there is singing or playing the dreidel game. But if a family has a Hanukkah party, they can do any form of entertainment they want. Although some people hold parties during this holiday, there are no traditional or specific forms of entertainment associated with Hanukkah. Some synagogues hold Hanukkah parties.
What are some gifts given for Hanukkah?
Gift-giving on Hanukkah is a modern practice, only a few decades old. There are no customs or traditions associated with it. The only traditional gift on Hanukkah is the Hanukkah-gelt (coins) given to children.
What are some holidays in Norway?
Christmas, Hanukkah,
