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Chanukah |
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Chanukah: see Hanukkah Hanukkah , in Judaism, the Festival of Lights, the Feast of Consecration, or the Feast of the Maccabees; also transliterated Chanukah. According to tradition, it was instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers in 165 B.C.
..... Click the link for more information. . Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah the eight-day Jewish festival of lights beginning on the 25th of Kislev and commemorating the rededication of the temple by Judas Maccabaeus in 165 bc Hanukkah (Chanukah) Between November 25 and December 26; from Kislev 25 to Tevet 2 Hanukkah commemorates the successful rebellion of the Jews against the Syrians in the Maccabean War of 162 b.c.e., but the military associations of this festival are played down. What is really being celebrated is the survival of Judaism. After the Jews' victory, they ritually cleansed and rededicated the Temple, then relit the menorah ("perpetual lamp"); hence one of the other names for this celebration, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew). The story is told that although there was only enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp burning for one day and it would take eight days to get more, the small bottle of oil miraculously lasted for the entire eight days. It is for this reason that Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Lights . Jewish families today celebrate this holiday by lighting a special Hanukkah menorah, a candelabrum with holders for eight candles, one for each day of celebration, plus a ninth, the shammash, "server," used to light the others. One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second, three on the third, through to the eighth night when all are lit. A special prayer is recited during the lighting, and while the candles burn it is a time for songs and games, including the four-sided toy called the dreidel. Other customs include the giving of gifts, especially to children, and decorating the home—something like the Christmas celebrations in Christian homes around this same time of year. CONTACTS: Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America 11 Broadway New York, NY 10004 212-563-4000; fax: 212-564-9058 www.ou.org Jewish Community Online Renaissance Media 29200 Northwestern Hwy., Ste. 110 Southfield, MI 48034 248-354-6060 www.jewish.com SOURCES: AmerBkDays-2000, p. 846 BkFest-1937, p. 205 BkFestHolWrld-1970, p. 134 BkHolWrld-1986, Dec 10 DaysCustFaith-1957, p. 326 DictFolkMyth-1984, p. 479 DictWrldRel-1989, pp. 155, 293 EncyChristmas-2003, p. 323 FolkAmerHol-1999, p. 480 FolkWrldHol-1999, p. 684 HolSymbols-2009, p. 339 OxYear-1999, p. 726 RelHolCal-2004, p. 56 Want to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit the webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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