▷ Why Do We Celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. During Hanukkah we commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it had been desecrated by the Greeks. The holiday marks a major victory of the Jewish people over their oppressors and a defiance of assimilation. It is a time of joy and celebration, and a reminder of the power of perseverance and faith.

What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is an eight-day festival in the Jewish calendar that celebrates the victory of the Maccabees over their Greek-Syrian oppressors in 165 B.C.E. The holiday coincides with the 25th of Kislev, a month on the Jewish calendar. It is also known as the Festival of Lights due to the lighting of the Menorah, the eight-branched candelabra which goes back to the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, and it is a joyous and spirited holiday.

Why Do We Celebrate Hanukkah?

Before Hanukkah, the Greek-Syrians had forced the Jewish people to conform and assimilate to their culture and customs, including the worship of pagan gods. In 164 B.C.E., a small band of fighters lead by Judah Maccabee rose up against the Greeks-Syrians and overthrew their oppressors. This victory is celebrated each year on Hanukkah as a reminder of the power of perseverance and faith.

During the rededication of the Temple, the Maccabees found only enough oil to last one day but it miraculously burned for eight days until enough oil could be made. To remember this miracle, people now light the Menorah each night of the holiday.

Hanukkah is also a time to explore traditions and explore stories of power, faith and courage. During the holiday, storybook plays, songs about the Maccabees and eating foods fried in oil (to symbolize the miracle with the oil) are a few of the traditional activities. Gifting of sweets and presents are also a large part of Hanukkah in order to help celebrate the happy times and to brighten up the dark winter days.

Finally, Hanukkah is a time to reflect and learn about our past in order to understand our present and plan for our future. The stories and customs of Hanukkah taught over generations have lasting effects and remains a source of strength and resilience in the Jewish people.

In conclusion, Hanukkah is not only a reminder of the ancient Maccabees, but also of the constant struggle for freedom and the power of staying true to one’s beliefs. It is a time of celebration, reflecting, and continuing traditions that have been passed down for generations. Celebrating Hanukkah helps to renew the spirit of hope and with it, the courage to fight against injustice and fight for the freedoms that we now take for granted.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.