Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish indoor festival of light which commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its liberation in 164 BCE. Every day of the eight-day holiday, Jews around the world light candles on the menorah to symbolize the miracle of the oil, which miraculously lasted eight days when only one day’s worth was available. While most recognize Hanukkah for the miracle of the oil, it has been practiced for centuries by Jews in various ways, and one of the newer custom is Zot Hanukkah.
What Is Zot Hanukkah?
Zot Hanukkah is a modern tradition established in the late 20th century which incorporates aspects of Jewish culture and philosophy into the celebration of Hanukkah. The practice of Zot Hanukkah is strongly associated with “Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson”, the seventh and last Chabad Rebbe. He was an enigmatic leader who encouraged active engagement with Jewish though rituals and practices.
Zot Hanukkah closely follows the traditional observances of Hanukkah yet also expands upon them. It draws upon an idea from Talmudic literature stating: “If you increase the letting of oil, you increase the miracle”. In other words, if more people lit candles on Hanukkah, the miracle of the oil would be even greater.
Zot Hanukkah encourages people to celebrate the holiday in a greater scale by making greater gifts, giving more charity, and celebrating with even more lights and joy. This practice is so powerful that it has the potential to transform your celebration of Hanukkah into a completely different experience.
The Eight Lights of Zot Hanukkah
Zot Hanukkah is based on the belief that the eight lights of Hanukkah represent eight different levels of holiness andHashem (God). The eighth light symbolizes the supreme light of holiness, so that the entire universe can be transformed by its radiance.
Each day of Zot Hanukkah, a new kind of light is added to the menorah. As described in the ancient mysticism, each light is connected to its corresponding heavenly level and represents an opportunity to access the level of holiness it symbolizes. Lighting the eighth light on the menorah is a way to bring unity and holiness into the world and to communal and personal life.
Zot Hanukkah Practices
The spiritual practice of Zot Hanukkah is based on the idea that in order to access the spiritual energy personified in the specific lights, it’s important to tap into a certain spiritual attitude and practice specific acts on each day of the festival. So on each day of the holiday, it’s important to focus on something specific – for example, charity, prayer, repentance, service, and others – in order to unlock the power of that day’s special light.
Zot Hanukkah also includes traditional practices, such as eating special foods and exchanging gifts, but it encourages people to dedicate these activities to a spiritual cause. One way to observe Zot Hanukkah is to set a personal goal and then dedicate each day to a specific practice that will help you reach that goal.
Zot Hanukkah is an inspiring way to celebrate Hanukkah. While it’s based on ancient Jewish traditions and teachings, it is flexible enough to adapt to modern times and lifestyles. By approaching the holiday in an intentional and mindful way, using the teachings of Zot Hanukkah, you can have a powerful and meaningful experience that will leave a lasting impression on your life.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.