Chanukah will begin at sunset on Friday, December 11th and will continue until Saturday, December 19th.
As we approach this wondrous holiday, we have knowledge of how the miracle of the oil in the flask that was enough to burn for one day actually burned for eight days. We also know that the lighting of a candle each night for eight days is in homage, commemorating the eight day miracle and each night gifts are exchanged between family and friends as well.
But there is more to this history than we know. It actually was more of survival over the ever present dangers during the time defining the miraculous event.
First we must learn that Chanukah in Hebrew means "dedication."
The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews' 165 BCE victory over the Hellenist Syrians. History states that Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria had outlawed Jewish rituals, ordering them to worship Greek gods.
In 168 BCE, the Syrians had taken control over the Holy Temple and transformed it, dedicating it to the Greek god, Zeus. And as in any civil action as this, there were some who were afraid of the soldiers and abided by what was being done, but yet there were those who were angered that their right to worship who they knew as their G-d was being manipulated as well as being bullied into worshipping a pagan god or an idol, had decided to fight back.
It all began in a village not from Jerusalem known as Modiin. A Greek officer and his soldiers had assembled the villagers 'asking' them to bow to an idol or false god and eat the flesh of a pig, knowing it was against their beliefs. Knowing the demeaning acts were forbidden by Jewish Law, he asked the high priest Mattathias to take part in the ceremony. Mattathias had refused. Because of his refusal another villager stepped forward to comply, hoping to avoid any violence he knew would take place.
Mattathias had become outraged by what was taking place, had drawn his sword killing the man and then killed the Greek officer. This act had started the events to unravel. Mattathias, his five sons and the villagers followed through by killing the remaining soldiers. He then went into hiding in the nearby mountains. Other Jews who had agreed with Mattathias' reasoning joined him and his family. They attacked Greek soldiers whenever possible.
As this took place the Holy Temple had become vandalized. Judah Maccabee and his soldiers had arrived at the Holy Temple and were saddened by the events that had taken place and to see the destruction and items that were missing or broken, which included the golden menorah. They knew they had to restore the Holy Temple as best as they could. So they cleaned and repaired it and decided that a dedication ceremony should be done.
They had wanted to light the menorah as part of the celebration and looked for the oil. Unfortunately, they were only able to find one small flask of oil that would last only one day. But to their amazement, the oil burned miraculously for eight days, long enough for them to obtain more oil to keep the menorah lit.
That celebration is done today. Chanukah or "dedication" is celebrated for eight days, lighting a candle each night for the eight days in homage, commemorating the eight day miracle. Each night gifts are exchanged between family and friends representing the gift of giving the burning "oil" had done for the eight days that were needed to obtain more pure oil to keep the flames burning.
A wonderful event in history during a time of religious oppression and conformity. But many of us do not understand the Jewish laws and traditions. And to have a better understanding is to learn.
The Menorah: In Israel the Chanukah menorah is called the Hanukiyah. They come in all shapes and sizes. The only requirement is that the flames are separated enough so that the not look too big and resemble a pagan bonfire. Also, if one is not made of clay as the original, then many of the menorah(s) that are purchased today can only be used once and cannot be continually used throughout the eight day holiday.
Ancient menorahs were made of clay, consisting of small pearl shaped vessels, each with its own wick, which were arranged side by side. Today's menorah, which stands on a base with branches sprouting out, resembles the Holy Temple's menorah and began to appear towards the end of the Middle Ages.
The Chanukah Dreidel: In Israel the dreidel is called "sivivon." The Yiddish term "dreidel" is derived from the German word "drehen" which means "turn." The dreidel game was popular during the rule of Antiochus before the Maccabees' revolt. It was a time when soldiers executed any Jews who were caught practicing their religion. When pious Jews met to study the Tora, they had the top ready just in case they heard the soldiers coming. If they saw the soldiers they would hide the scriptures and pretend they were playing with the dreidel.
Sugar Plums and Other Delights: Since the main theme in Chanukah is the use of "oil." In cooking the dishes for the holiday, "vegetable oil" is mainly used. The Maccabees soldiers had eaten latkes made of cheese, vegetables or fruits which were brought to them on the battle fields. They didn't eat potato latkes because potatoes were not available until the 16th century. From then on, latkes were made of potato mixed with eggs, onions, and flour and then fried in vegetable oil. The potato pancake is still made today. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender within and is served with applesauce and sour cream as sides.
Another delight is the Sufganiyot or the Chanukah Jelly Doughnut. It is a jelly doughnut without the hole. Remembering the "oil" theme, when the doughnuts are made they are dropped into the hot oil with no shape. A different shape is formed with each doughnut as it cooks, creating funny, odd shapes and then are covered in sugar or cinnamon and are sold on stands on the streets in Israel a month before the Chanukah celebration begins.
Now we know how a miracle so small can represent something absolutely monumental. A miracle that changed the world at the time. A battle was won, not just from a physical overthrow of place and people but from a spiritual and religious oppression. The burning of the oil for the eight days showed how faith and belief truly can make a difference!
Enjoy this celebration of the small miracle! for its effect has an impact on all of us as it continues to reverberate down in history whether we realize or not.
Let us, during this time, remember our own small miracles that had changed our lives and the lives of others. Because, again, as we get in our habitual groove we don't realize how the outcome of such miracles, the 'giving', has had an impact at that one moment in time. Look back, see the changes that had taken place, for at times we must take a few steps back in order to take one or two steps forward.
May Peace be bestowed on everyone not just during the Season(s) of Giving but throughout the years to come!
HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!
As we approach this wondrous holiday, we have knowledge of how the miracle of the oil in the flask that was enough to burn for one day actually burned for eight days. We also know that the lighting of a candle each night for eight days is in homage, commemorating the eight day miracle and each night gifts are exchanged between family and friends as well.
But there is more to this history than we know. It actually was more of survival over the ever present dangers during the time defining the miraculous event.
First we must learn that Chanukah in Hebrew means "dedication."
The holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews' 165 BCE victory over the Hellenist Syrians. History states that Antiochus, the Greek King of Syria had outlawed Jewish rituals, ordering them to worship Greek gods.
In 168 BCE, the Syrians had taken control over the Holy Temple and transformed it, dedicating it to the Greek god, Zeus. And as in any civil action as this, there were some who were afraid of the soldiers and abided by what was being done, but yet there were those who were angered that their right to worship who they knew as their G-d was being manipulated as well as being bullied into worshipping a pagan god or an idol, had decided to fight back.
It all began in a village not from Jerusalem known as Modiin. A Greek officer and his soldiers had assembled the villagers 'asking' them to bow to an idol or false god and eat the flesh of a pig, knowing it was against their beliefs. Knowing the demeaning acts were forbidden by Jewish Law, he asked the high priest Mattathias to take part in the ceremony. Mattathias had refused. Because of his refusal another villager stepped forward to comply, hoping to avoid any violence he knew would take place.
Mattathias had become outraged by what was taking place, had drawn his sword killing the man and then killed the Greek officer. This act had started the events to unravel. Mattathias, his five sons and the villagers followed through by killing the remaining soldiers. He then went into hiding in the nearby mountains. Other Jews who had agreed with Mattathias' reasoning joined him and his family. They attacked Greek soldiers whenever possible.
As this took place the Holy Temple had become vandalized. Judah Maccabee and his soldiers had arrived at the Holy Temple and were saddened by the events that had taken place and to see the destruction and items that were missing or broken, which included the golden menorah. They knew they had to restore the Holy Temple as best as they could. So they cleaned and repaired it and decided that a dedication ceremony should be done.
They had wanted to light the menorah as part of the celebration and looked for the oil. Unfortunately, they were only able to find one small flask of oil that would last only one day. But to their amazement, the oil burned miraculously for eight days, long enough for them to obtain more oil to keep the menorah lit.
That celebration is done today. Chanukah or "dedication" is celebrated for eight days, lighting a candle each night for the eight days in homage, commemorating the eight day miracle. Each night gifts are exchanged between family and friends representing the gift of giving the burning "oil" had done for the eight days that were needed to obtain more pure oil to keep the flames burning.
A wonderful event in history during a time of religious oppression and conformity. But many of us do not understand the Jewish laws and traditions. And to have a better understanding is to learn.
The Menorah: In Israel the Chanukah menorah is called the Hanukiyah. They come in all shapes and sizes. The only requirement is that the flames are separated enough so that the not look too big and resemble a pagan bonfire. Also, if one is not made of clay as the original, then many of the menorah(s) that are purchased today can only be used once and cannot be continually used throughout the eight day holiday.
Ancient menorahs were made of clay, consisting of small pearl shaped vessels, each with its own wick, which were arranged side by side. Today's menorah, which stands on a base with branches sprouting out, resembles the Holy Temple's menorah and began to appear towards the end of the Middle Ages.
The Chanukah Dreidel: In Israel the dreidel is called "sivivon." The Yiddish term "dreidel" is derived from the German word "drehen" which means "turn." The dreidel game was popular during the rule of Antiochus before the Maccabees' revolt. It was a time when soldiers executed any Jews who were caught practicing their religion. When pious Jews met to study the Tora, they had the top ready just in case they heard the soldiers coming. If they saw the soldiers they would hide the scriptures and pretend they were playing with the dreidel.
Sugar Plums and Other Delights: Since the main theme in Chanukah is the use of "oil." In cooking the dishes for the holiday, "vegetable oil" is mainly used. The Maccabees soldiers had eaten latkes made of cheese, vegetables or fruits which were brought to them on the battle fields. They didn't eat potato latkes because potatoes were not available until the 16th century. From then on, latkes were made of potato mixed with eggs, onions, and flour and then fried in vegetable oil. The potato pancake is still made today. The texture is crispy on the outside and tender within and is served with applesauce and sour cream as sides.
Another delight is the Sufganiyot or the Chanukah Jelly Doughnut. It is a jelly doughnut without the hole. Remembering the "oil" theme, when the doughnuts are made they are dropped into the hot oil with no shape. A different shape is formed with each doughnut as it cooks, creating funny, odd shapes and then are covered in sugar or cinnamon and are sold on stands on the streets in Israel a month before the Chanukah celebration begins.
Now we know how a miracle so small can represent something absolutely monumental. A miracle that changed the world at the time. A battle was won, not just from a physical overthrow of place and people but from a spiritual and religious oppression. The burning of the oil for the eight days showed how faith and belief truly can make a difference!
Enjoy this celebration of the small miracle! for its effect has an impact on all of us as it continues to reverberate down in history whether we realize or not.
Let us, during this time, remember our own small miracles that had changed our lives and the lives of others. Because, again, as we get in our habitual groove we don't realize how the outcome of such miracles, the 'giving', has had an impact at that one moment in time. Look back, see the changes that had taken place, for at times we must take a few steps back in order to take one or two steps forward.
May Peace be bestowed on everyone not just during the Season(s) of Giving but throughout the years to come!
HAPPY CHANUKAH!!!!
(Some information for this piece was obtained from http://www.history.com/content/hanukkah)
