Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that lasts for eight nights, usually in November or December. But many people might not know the rich history and tradition that goes along with the Jewish festival.
Is Hanukkah a religious celebration?
Although a relatively minor holiday in strictly religious terms , Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance in North America and elsewhere, especially among secular Jews, due to its occurring around the same time as Christmas.
How did Hanukkah originate?
Hanukkah commemorates a historical event that took place in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE , when the Seleucid Greek empire was the ruling power. In 168 BCE, the king Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Jewish practice and defiled the Jewish Temple in the city by installing an altar to Zeus Olympios and sacrificing pigs.
What are the 3 Hanukkah blessings?
The traditional Hanukkah candle lighting service consists of saying all three blessings on the first night, and only the first and second blessings for the seven nights to follow. Transliteration: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech ha'olam, asher kid'shanu b'mitzvotav v'tsivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
What do the 8 days of Hanukkah stand for?
Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew . The eight-day holiday celebrates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem after it was retaken by the Maccabees, a group of Jewish warriors, from the Greeks in the 2nd century BCE, as explained by Tablet magazine.
What are 3 interesting facts about Hanukkah?
- Hanukkah Isn't A Major Jewish Holiday. ...
- A Menorah Is Actually A “Hanukiah” ...
- 17.5 Million Donuts Are Eaten In Israel During Hannukah. ...
- The Dreidel Was Used As A Cover-Up For Studying The Torah. ...
- Gifts Are Only Given Because It's Close To Christmas.
What is the story behind the menorah?
Since biblical times, the seven-branched menorah has symbolized Judaism. It first appears in Exodus, as a lighting fixture within the Tabernacle, a sort of portable temple used by the Israelites during their desert wanderings. The menorah is described in Exodus in minute detail, based on a heavenly prototype .
What does the menorah represent?
Judaism. The menorah symbolized the ideal of universal enlightenment . The idea that the menorah symbolizes wisdom is noted in the Talmud, for example, in the following: “Rabbi Isaac said: He who desires to become wise should incline to the south [when praying].
What do you say during Hanukkah?
What is the proper greeting for Hanukkah? To wish someone a Happy Hanukkah, say “ Hanukkah Sameach!” (Happy Hanukkah) or simply “Chag Sameach!” (Happy Holiday). Or if you want to show off your Hebrew skills, say “Chag Urim Sameach!” (urim means “lights”).
What to say while lighting the menorah?
Saying the Blessings
Baruch Atah Adonai Eloheinu Melech HaOlam, asher kidshanu b'mitzvotav v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah . Blessed are You, O Lord Our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Your commandments and commanded us to kindle the lights of Hanukkah.
What do you read on Hanukkah?
As you light the first candle of Hanukkah, you read a special blessing called the Shehecheyanu . The Hebrew reading is Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam shehecheyanu v'kiyimanu v'higi'anu laz'man hazeh.
Why is there 9 candles in menorah?
The centerpiece of the Hanukkah celebration is the hanukkiah or menorah, a candelabra that holds nine candles. Eight candles symbolize the number of days that the Temple lantern blazed; the ninth, the shamash, is a helper candle used to light the others.
What are Hanukkah symbols?
The most famous symbol of Hanukkah is the hanukkiah , the nine-branched candelabra which is lit each night, and can often be seen in house windows. Hanukkah celebrations are centred around lighting the hanukkiah, and families will gather to light the candles together.
Is menorah in the Bible?
The menorah is first mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus (25:31–40), according to which the design of the lamp was revealed to Moses by God on Mount Sinai.
Why do Hanukkah have 44 candles?
Jews light the candles in the menorah from left to right, lighting a new candle, candles for the previous days, and the helper candle each night. You'll need to use a whopping 44 candles to celebrate Hanukkah since you light two candles the first night, three the second night, four the third night, and so on .
What is the point of Hanukkah?
The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem , where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.
