Hanukkah (khä`nəkə, –n
kä), in Judaism, the Festival of Lights, the Feast of Consecration, or the Feast of the Maccabees Maccabees or Machabees , Jewish family of the 2d and 1st cent. B.C. that brought about a restoration of Jewish political and religious life. They are also called Hasmoneans or Asmoneans after their ancestor, Hashmon.
..... Click the link for more information. ; also transliterated Chanukah. According to tradition, it was instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers in 165 B.C. to celebrate the dedication of the new altar in the Temple at Jerusalem. The festival occurs in December near the time of the winter solstice, as does Christmas, and lasts eight days. Hanukkah later came to be linked also with a miraculous cruse of oil that burned for eight days, leading to the practice of lighting special Hanukkah candles, one the first evening, two the second, and so on. The eight-branched candlestand (menorah) used in that ceremony is a frequent symbol for the holiday.
Hanukkah, Hanukah, Chanukah
kä), in Judaism, the Festival of Lights, the Feast of Consecration, or the Feast of the Maccabees Maccabees or Machabees , Jewish family of the 2d and 1st cent. B.C. that brought about a restoration of Jewish political and religious life. They are also called Hasmoneans or Asmoneans after their ancestor, Hashmon...... Click the link for more information. ; also transliterated Chanukah. According to tradition, it was instituted by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers in 165 B.C. to celebrate the dedication of the new altar in the Temple at Jerusalem. The festival occurs in December near the time of the winter solstice, as does Christmas, and lasts eight days. Hanukkah later came to be linked also with a miraculous cruse of oil that burned for eight days, leading to the practice of lighting special Hanukkah candles, one the first evening, two the second, and so on. The eight-branched candlestand (menorah) used in that ceremony is a frequent symbol for the holiday.
Hanukkah
In Judaism, a holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 164 BC, after its desecration three years earlier by order of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The Maccabees recaptured Jerusalem and reconsecrated the Temple after leading a successful revolt against Syrian rule. The lighting of the menorah recalls the story that a one-day supply of oil burned miraculously in the Temple for eight days until new oil could be obtained. Sometimes called the Feast of Dedication or Feast of Lights, it is celebrated for eight days in December, during which the ceremonial candles are lit and children play games and receive gifts. Originally a minor holiday, it has become more lavishly celebrated as a result of its proximity to Christmas.
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
(Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication) Jewish festival lasting eight days; abundance of food is characteristic. [Judaism: NCE, 1190]
See : Feast
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.
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
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
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
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