Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight nights and days every year. This joyous holiday, which is marked by the lighting of the menorah, commemorates the rededication of the holy temple of Jerusalem. The holiday also celebrates the Maccabees’ victory over the Greeks, and the miracle of a single jar of oil that lasted for eight days. This led to the additional blessing of the holiday – the celebration of the 12 days of Hanukkah, which start on the 25th day of Kislev, which falls sometime between late November to late December.
Table of Contents
- 1 What Are The 12 Days Of Hanukkah?
- 1.1 Day 1: Opening of the Gates of Heaven
- 1.2 Day 2: The Founding of the Temple
- 1.3 Day 3: The Cleansing of the Temple
- 1.4 Day 4: The Restoration of the Menorah
- 1.5 Day 5: The Consecration of the New High Priest
- 1.6 Day 6: The Restitution of Divine Worship
- 1.7 Day 7: The Launching of the Maccabees’ Revolt
- 1.8 Day 8: The Miraculous Victory of the Maccabees
- 1.9 Day 9: The Dedication of the New Altar
- 1.10 Day 10: The Appointment of the Maccabees as Judges
- 1.11 Day 11:The Reburial of the Greek Martyrs
- 1.12 Day 12: The Dedication of the Greco-Jewish Synagogue
What Are The 12 Days Of Hanukkah?
Each of the 12 days of Hanukkah, as the name implies, stands for a major event that occurred during and around the holiday, with each day being a reminder of the success of the Maccabees in fighting off the Greek oppression. Here are some of the traditional activities associated with each of the 12 days:
Day 1: Opening of the Gates of Heaven
On the first day of the Chanukah, the gates of Heaven are opened and everyone can pray for success and receive favor in their endeavors.
Day 2: The Founding of the Temple
The second day commemorates the founding of the holy temple of Jerusalem which was dedicated to G-d.
Day 3: The Cleansing of the Temple
On the third day, the Maccabees cleansed the holy temple and rededicated it to true Judaism after it had been converted to a temple of Greek gods by the Greek kings.
Day 4: The Restoration of the Menorah
The fourth day is celebrated as the day when the Maccabees restored the Menorah to the temple – a symbol of Judaism and of the Jewish people’s commitment to G-d.
Day 5: The Consecration of the New High Priest
On the fifth day of Chanukah, a new high priest was chosen by G-d to lead the Maccabees in their war against the Greeks.
Day 6: The Restitution of Divine Worship
The sixth day commemorates the restitution of Divine worship in the Temple after it had been forbidden by the Greeks.
Day 7: The Launching of the Maccabees’ Revolt
The seventh day of Chanukah marks the launching of the Maccabees’ revolt against the Greeks on the 25th of Kislev.
Day 8: The Miraculous Victory of the Maccabees
The eighth day is a celebration of the Maccabees’ miraculous victory against the Greeks.
Day 9: The Dedication of the New Altar
The ninth day marks the dedication of the new altar which was built by the Maccabees in the rededicated Temple.
Day 10: The Appointment of the Maccabees as Judges
The tenth day celebrates the appointment of the Maccabees as judges in Israel.
Day 11:The Reburial of the Greek Martyrs
The eleventh day commemorates the reburial of the Greek martyrs who fought in the Greek army.
Day 12: The Dedication of the Greco-Jewish Synagogue
The twelfth day marks the dedication of a Greco-Jewish synagogue, which the Maccabees allowed to remain in the Temple.
Thus, the 12 days of Hanukkah are a tribute to the Maccabees’ courage and dedication to the faith and to the survival of the Jewish people in the face of tremendous odds. The 12 days of Hanukkah celebrate the courage of our ancestors and remember the miracles that have blessed our people for thousands of years. The light of the Hanukkah menorah celebrates the miracle of the holiday, and the 12 days serve as a reminder of its power.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.