The story of Hanukkah is an integral part of Jewish tradition, yet despite its importance it is not mentioned in the Torah, which is the Jewish sacred text. This has confused many who wonder why the story of Hanukkah is so important yet it is not even mentioned in the Torah. To help understand why this is, it is important to take a closer look at the Torah, the history and traditions behind Hanukkah, and how the two overlap.
The Torah
The Torah is the Jewish scripture that contains the five books of Moses. It primarily focuses on details of Jewish law, as well as stories about the early Jewish people. The Torah is authoritative, held as divinely inspired and timeless throughout the ages. It is the basis of the Jewish faith and contains teachings and guidelines for Jewish life.
History and Traditions of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over their Seleucid rulers and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is said to have begun in the 2nd century BCE and was marked in the Book of Maccabees, which was written by a Jewish historian. The tradition of the holiday is to light the Menorah, an eight-pronged candelabrum, for eight nights each year. A prayer is said each evening and a special Hanukkah food is eaten, like latkes or sufganiyot (doughnuts).
The Difference Between the Torah and the Story of Hanukkah
The Torah is built upon divine revelation and was written by the greatest of Jewish Sages, while the story of Hanukkah is grounded in history and is an invention of a traditional storyteller. The Torah is of a much higher estimation and is held to be timeless and true, while the story of Hanukkah is based on historical events that are seen as important but not necessarily fully factual. Furthermore, the presence of the Maccabees and their rebellion are not discussed in the Torah, and this could be another reason why Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Torah.
To conclude, there is no mention of the story of Hanukkah in the Torah as the Torah does not discuss the history behind the Maccabees or their rebellion. Rather, the Torah is focused on divine law and traditionally Jewish stories, and the story of Hanukkah does not fit into any of those categories. Nevertheless, the story of Hanukkah is still celebrated each year due to its importance in Jewish tradition and culture.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.