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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 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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When is Chanukah?
Chanukah is the 8 day celebration of light that begins on the eve of the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev. This normally falls sometime between the end of November and the end of December.
What is the nicest Jewish holiday?
I say Chanukah! It is a fun Jewish family holiday. Lighting the Menorah with your family standing around nibbling on Latkes, and then playing dreidel as white sparkling snow falls outside your window. Or eating jelly filled donuts while singing "Maotz Tzur" or "Chanukah Oh Chanukah, Come Light the Menorah..." The memories I have of Chanukah throughout my childhood will stay with me forever...
Why is Hanukkah the festaval of lights?
Chanukah is called "The festival of lights", because within the celebration candle light is the important. The candles lit during Chanukah remind us of the miracle of the oil during the re-dedication of the Temple, after the Jews defeated the Assyrian invaders.
What are the names of the songs that u sing at hanukka?
chanukah oh chanukah Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora Gather round the table, we'll all have a treat Sivivon to play with, and latkes to eat. And while we are playing The candles are burning bright One for each night, they shed a sweet light To remind us of days long ago. One for each night, they shed a sweet light To remind us of days long ago. also : maoz tzur i have a little dreidel sivivon sov sov sov chanukah chanukah
What did light mean to the Hebrew people?
Light is a symbol of wisdom in the Jewish religion.
What is Chanukah 2012 and how is it celebrated?
Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah) is a Jewish festival celebrated for 8 days. It is also called the Festival of Lights. This year Chanukah is celebrated from December 8th - December 16th 2012. There is a candle holder with 9 stems called a Menorah. One stem in the middle sits higher or lower than the rest. It is called Samash and it provides light for lighting the other candles. Each night for eight nights one candles is lit.
What other light-festivals in other religions is chanukah similar to?
Chanukah is a celebration of the miracle of the oil. Some people invaded the Jewish Temple and put out the flame on the oil burner. When they regained the temple, they had to re-dedicate it to God. This ceremony took 8 days, but there was only enough for 1 day. But a miracle happened. The oil lasted for 8 days. These 8 days were declared a festival, to celebrate God. So in conclusion, there are no other festivals that celebrate this miracle.
When does shabat end?
Shabbat ends on a Saturday night after nightfall. During that time Jewish people light havdalah candles and then dip them in wine to burn them out.
How many candles do we light on the 3rd night of Chanukah Besides the Shamash servant candle?
3
Do Jewish people go to work or school during Honokaa and Shoshana?
Chanuka is not yom tov meaning u can work but u have to be at home to light the candles at night.
What day do you light the Hanukkah candles?
If you are talking about a Chanukah menorah, also called a Chanukiah, it can be displayed whenever you like. However, you only begin lighting it on the first evening of Hanukkah. Usually, though, Jewish people take out their Chanukiah the day before Chanukah starts, and put it away immediately afterward.
What is the symbolism of the candelabra in christian churches?
The meaning is to show that in the Jewish religion, an oil lamp was only holding enough oil for one day but burned for eight. Thus, the eight candle holders on the candelabra. --not quite true. during chanukah, which is related to the miracle above, the menorah is 9 branches. one candle for each night, and the ninth, the shamash, to light them. the 7-branch one was a symbol of the temple, possibly relating to moses and the burning bush, when god commanded moses to fashion it, and exactly how to do it. among other things, it exemplifies that the jewish people "be a light unto the world."
