0
Hanukkah is a minor holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
Answer:It was first celebrated one year after the rededication of the Temple in 165 BCE (Talmud, Shabbat 21b).It should be noted that the chief celebration in Hanukkah is not for the military victory; it's for the miracle of the oil (Talmud, Shabbat 21b). As an augmentation to the celebration of that miracle, we also thank God during Hanukkah for the Hasmoneans' military victory (during which they ousted the Syrian-Greeks [Seleucids] and their lackeys, the Hellenizing Jews, making possible the rededication of the Temple). The Seleucids, at the instigation of the Hellenizers, had forbidden various Torah-practices, such as Sabbath-observance, and pressed the Jews to offer up idolatrous sacrifices. The Hasmoneans (a family of religious Jews) fought to retake the Holy Temple, which had been seized by the Seleucids, and to enable the people to once again observe the Torah. When they reached the Temple grounds, they found only one day's supply of unsullied olive oil, but the oil lamps miraculously burned for eight days (ibid.), allowing enough time for new oil to be prepared and brought.
The significance of the miracle is that it demonstrated that God's presence still dwelt in the Holy Temple.
The Torah Sages instituted the festival of Hanukkah at that time (Talmud, Shabbat 21b), to publicize the miracle (Rashi commentary, ibid). The eight-day rededication of the Temple is also mentioned in the book of Maccabees (I, 4:36; and II, 1:18); and Josephus mentions the eight-day festival in Antiquities ch.12.
The Al-Hanisim prayer which we recite during Hanukkah centers around the Hasmoneans' victory, 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, just as we have no special occasion to mark Abraham's victory (Genesis ch.14), or those of Moses (Numbers ch.21), Joshua, Deborah (Judges ch.4), Gideon (Judges ch.6-7), Jephthah (Judges ch.11), or King David. And though the Hasmonean battles continued for two decades after the retaking of the Temple, the Sages instituted Hanukkah immediately after 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."
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
When is the first night of Hanukkah in 2016?
The first night of Hanukkah in 2016 will begin in the evening of December 24, 2016. Because December 24 will be a Shabbat, the first Hanukkah candle is lit after twilight. On weekday nights, the nightly candles may be lit earlier.See also:More about Hanukkah
When in history did Hanukkah begin?
Hanukkah is a minor holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE. But it's not known when Hanukkah became a distinct holiday.Answer:Hanukkah was instituted by the Torah-sages and first celebrated in 164 BCE, one year after the Maccabees retook Jerusalem and the Temple, as stated in the Talmud (Shabbat 21b). This is also attested in the book of Maccabees (I, 4:36; and II, 1:18).
What day was Hanukkah 2010?
The first night of Hanukkah began at sundown on Dec. 1, 2010.
What does the number three have to do with Hanukkah?
Nothing. Hanukkah is associated with the number 8.Answer:Three is the number of blessings said on the first night of Hanukkah.
What day was Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah was first celebrated in 164 BCE, starting on the 25th of Kislev of that year.See dates of Hanukkah for the next couple of decades on this linked page.See also:More about Hanukkah
How did this celebration begin in the first place Halloween?
It was a pagan festival across Celtic regaions of Britain and Europe celebrating the end of summer and the gathering of the crops (harvest)
What happens at sundown on the first day on Hanukkah?
Sundown on the night entering the first day is when Hanukkah begins, and the first candle is lit (plus the helper-candle).
On what day of the week did Hanukkah begin in 1975?
The first day of Hanukah in 1975 was Saturday, November 29th. The first candle was therefore Friday night November 28th. The holiday lasted until December 6th.
When does Hanukkah begin in 2007?
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, begins the evening of December 4th, 2007. This is the night of the first candle lighting. The lighting of candles will continue for 8 nights in a row in recognition of the miracle of the Temple oil that burned for 8 nights (when it only should have burned for one).
When did Jews celebrate Hanukkah?
Hanukkah begins in December or late November, and lasts eight days. It was first instituted 2175 years ago.For more about Hanukkah:http://judaism.answers.com/jewish-holidays/hanukkah
What was the first day of Hanukkah in 2004?
Hanukkah in 2008 starts December 21st at night when the first candle is lit. The first day is December 22 and it runs through December 29th.
What are the dates for 2008 Hanukkah?
"Sunset, December 21 to sunset, December 29 The first Day of Hanukkah was December 22."
