Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the third month of the Jewish calendar. For thousands of years, Jews the world over have celebrated the festival which celebrates the triumph of light over darkness and freedom over persecution. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus IV Epiphanes in 165 B.C.E and the rededication of the Temple which had been desecrated by the Greek-Syrian army. This rededication has particular importance to the Jewish people because the Maccabees re-dedicated the Temple in Jerusalem which from then on played a major role in Jewish worship and culture.
How Many Days of Hanukkah?
The festival of Hanukkah lasts for eight days and nights and falls on the 25th day of the Jewish month Kislev, sometimes in November and sometimes in December. According to Jewish tradition, the candle-lighting ceremony of the Menorah as part of the eight-day Hanukkah is celebrated with great gusto and enthusiasm each night of the festival. The exact time of the celebration for each night is determined by the lighting of the two Shamash candles which stay lit throughout all eight days.
On the first night of the festival, one candle is lit which is the Shamash. On the following night, two candles are lit and so on until all eight candles are lit on the last night of the festival. The colors of the candles usually reflect the season in which Hanukkah is celebrated – blue, white and gold in winter months, and bright colors in the summer months.
Festival Traditions
During Hanukkah, many families gather together to eat special holiday foods, exchange gifts, sing traditional songs and play a game called the dreidel. The dreidel is a four-sided top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The four letters on a dreidel stand for the words “A Great Miracle Happened Here,” which is a reference to the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days.
Conclusion
Hanukkah is a joyful celebration in Jewish homes around the world. It is a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy traditional foods and customs. The eight-day holiday celebrates the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees against the Greek-Syrian army. While each night brings the candle lighting ceremony of the Menorah, and traditional songs, stories and games, Hanukkah offers a unique opportunity to build lasting memories and celebrate the triumph of light over darkness.
In summary, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that celebrates the Maccabeans’ victory over the Greek-Syrian army in 165 BCE and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. During the celebration, families gather together to share holiday foods, exchange gifts, and light the menorah with its Shamash candles. Furthermore, dreidel games are played and special songs are sung, all in observance of this happy occasion.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.