Hanukkah is an eight-night Jewish festival which celebrates the miracle of the oil in the days of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Known as the Festival of Lights, it is a time for celebrating family, faith and understanding. But what is the deeper significance of Hanukkah? What is the purpose of the holiday?
The Story of Hanukkah
At the time of the Second Temple, the Jews were under the rule of the Seleucid Empire. The Seleucid Empire was determined to impose their culture and religion upon Judaism and squash any form of resistance. When the Jews revolted against their foreign rulers, they were successful, and the Festival of Hanukkah was declared.
The Miracles of Hanukkah
The Jews, led by Judah Maccabee, were victorious over their oppressors and retook the Temple of Jerusalem. When they finished cleaning the sanctuary, they needed to light the Menorah, which is the eight-branch candelabrum, but they only had enough purified oil to last for one day. This should have been a cause for despair, but instead it was a source of great joy as a miracle happened and the oil burned for eight days. This miracle is celebrated every Hanukkah. As a way of commemorating the miracle, friends and family gather around the lit Menorah and exchange gifts.
In addition to celebrating the victory of the Maccabees, Jews use Hanukkah as an opportunity to rekindle the light of faith, to recommit to our values, and to be thankful for the miracles that have occurred in our lives.
Hanukkah Traditions
An important part of celebrating Hanukkah is the exchanging of gifts. Each night of Hanukkah, families exchange presents to symbolize the miracle of the oil. While in other religions gifts are exchanged on only one night, the lengthy period of Hanukkah allows ample opportunity to give and receive presents.
Another important part of Hanukkah is the lighting of the Menorah. On each of the eight nights of Hanukkah, people kindle an additional candle to the Menorah, to show thanks for the miracles in their lives. The Menorah is lit using special Hanukkah candles or oil lamps.
In addition to exchanging gifts and lighting the candelabra, another part of Hanukkah is eating special fried foods. Many families fry up dishes such as potato pancakes and doughnuts to commemorate the miracle of the oil.
In conclusion, Hanukkah is a time for friends and family to come together to celebrate a time of joy and faith. Through exchanging gifts, lighting the Menorah, and eating traditional fried foods, Jews pay tribute to the miracle of the oil and the victory of the Maccabees. In a time of darkness, Hanukkah reminds us to remember miracles of the past and have faith that new miracles are yet to come.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.