answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

The entire family. In some households each person lights his/her own menorah, but in any case everyone is present at the lighting, and they all sing the traditional songs (Maoz Tzur) and have the traditional foods.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

The family of the Hasmoneans (Maccabees) and their followersThe Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), their king, and their army

The Hellenizing Jews

See also:

More on the topic

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

8y ago

"What," not "who." The rededication of the Jewish Temple by the Hasmoneans, and the miracle of the oil, are celebrated in Hanukkah.


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."

See also:

Jewish history timeline

More about the Hellenized Jews

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Matityahu

Judah HaMaccabee

Antiochus IV

Hannah and her 7 sons

Yehudit

This answer is:
User Avatar

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

King Antiochus IV (the bad guy)

Judah Maccabee (the hero)

Matityahu (the hero's father)

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Who is involved in the celebration of Hanukkah?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

How do they end the celebration of Hanukkah?

There is no special ending for the celebration of Hanukkah.


Do Japanese celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration with no connection to Buddhism.


Hanukkah celebration in Hawaii?

Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews in every U.S. state, including Hawaii.


Are nativity plays performed on Hanukkah?

No. Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration, while the concept of a nativity is a Christian concept.


Where did God command the celebration of hanhuuah?

Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Bible. The story of Hanukkah occurred after the events of the Bible.


When was the Hanukkah Bush invented?

There is no such thing. This is just a spoof of the Christmas tree, and it not part of the actual celebration of Hanukkah.


Why is the celebration of Hanukkah so significant to those in hiding?

Because Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom, which Jews in hiding did not have.


What do latkes dreidel menorah have in common?

They are are part of a typical Hanukkah celebration.


When did they get the name Hanukkah?

Hanukkah was founded 2180 years ago. The word "Hanukkah" is taken from Numbers ch.7 (in the original Hebrew). In that context, and in the context of our celebration of Hanukkah also, the word means "dedication" or "initiation" into the service of God.


When is Hanukkah is Mexico?

Hanukkah is a religious (Jewish) celebration independent of the host country. For 2011, it will be celebrated from December 20th to December 28th.


Do Lutheranism celeberate Hanukkah?

No, Lutherism is part of Christianity. Hannukah is a Jewish celebration


What incident interrupts the Hanukkah celebration in Anne Frank?

In Anne Frank's diary, the Hanukkah celebration is interrupted when the Gestapo and Dutch police raid the Secret Annex on December 11, 1943, arresting the inhabitants and the helpers who were hiding them.