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Yes; and the festival is Hanukkah. Hanukkah, sometimes called the "Festival of Light," commemorates the cleansing of the Temple after it was trashed by the Syrians. The miracle of Hanukkah (which is not, by the way, recorded in the original text - it's a tradition that rose later. Hanukkah was originally eight days because they were making up for having missed Sukkot) is that one day's worth of oil for the lamp miraculously took eight days to burn, which was how long it took to get more oil.
To celebrate, we light a candle-holder called a hanukkiah, which has nine branches - eight of them together, and one set apart from the others in some way. The one set apart is called the shamesh.
On the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are put in the hanukkiah - the shamesh and one other. We light the shamesh and use it to light the one other candle. The second night it's the shamesh and two other candles, the third night it's the shamesh and three, and so on until the eighth night when all the candles are lit.
Answer:
The connection with Sukkot (mentioned above) is from a non-traditional source. Here's what the actual Jewish Oral-Torah sources say:
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 and was certainly one of the miracles of Hanukkah, 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."
What else can I help you with?
What the purpose of the eternal light?
the eternal light is used in the Jewish festival of Hanarashi
What is the name of the Islamic festival of light?
There isn't one. There is a Festival of Breaking the Fast (Eid al Fitr) after the fasting month of Ramadan and the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha) at the of Hajj when an animal is slaughtered to give to the poor and needy as the Prophet Abraham did with his son Prophet Ismail. Neither of these is a festival of light. However, other religions do have festivals of light. The Jewish festival of light is Hanukkah, the Hindu festival of light is Diwali, and the Japanese festival is Tōrō Nagashi (or the Festival of Floating Lanterns).
How do the Jewish treat the menorah?
The menorah is a significant symbol in Judaism, particularly during the festival of Hanukkah. It is an eight-branched candelabrum, with an additional holder for the shamash (the helper candle used to light the others). During Hanukkah, Jews light one candle on the first night and add an additional candle each subsequent night, reciting blessings and prayers. The menorah is often displayed prominently in homes and public spaces to celebrate the miracle of the oil and the rededication of the Second Temple.
How is the symbol of light used during the festival of wesak?
it represents the light of Buddha's teaching continues to shine on the world
What are the traditional customs and rituals associated with the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah?
During Hanukkah, Jewish people light a menorah each night for eight nights to commemorate the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days in the ancient Temple. They also eat foods fried in oil, like latkes and sufganiyot, play dreidel, and exchange gifts.
What did the early settlers use to light their homes before the invention of the light bulb?
Early settlers used candles, oil lamps, and lanterns to light their homes before the invention of the light bulb. These sources of light provided illumination during nighttime and allowed them to continue their activities after dark.
What is the Festival of Lights of the Catholic religion?
It would be quite easy to conclude from all the decorative lights that are put on Christmas trees, houses, and stores, that there is a logical reason for Christmas to be called the Festival of Lights, but it isn't. Christmas falls at approximately the same time as the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, which is the actual Festival of Lights, because the central symbol of Hanukkah is a candle holder (or candelabrum) with eight branches on the sides and one central candle holder. Candles are essential to this holiday (which commemorates a miraculous event in which an oil lamp burned for 8 days despite having an insufficient amount of oil).
What do Hindus do to decorate their homes during Diwali?
During Diwali, Hindus decorate their homes with colorful rangoli designs made from colored powders, rice, or flower petals at their entrances. They also adorn their homes with vibrant lights, diyas (oil lamps), and candles to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness. Additionally, families may hang decorative items like marigold garlands and colorful banners to create a festive atmosphere. This decoration reflects the joy and spiritual significance of the festival.
What is the festivals of light?
The Festival of Lights is also known as Hanukkah, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. "There was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil." for more information, please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah
Why Diwali is called festival of light?
On diwali, people light diyas and candles. So this festival is called festival of lights.
What holiday celebrated in India is known as the Festival of Light?
In India, the Festival Of Light is Diwali.
Why is Hanukkah known as the Festival of Lights?
Hanukkah is known as the Festival of Lights because it celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil lasting for eight days in the Jewish temple's menorah. This event symbolizes hope, faith, and the triumph of light over darkness.
