Hanukkah - the festival of light

This year, Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of light, begins exactly on Christmas.

We celebrate Hanukkah for 8 days based on the legend that is referred to as ‘Nes Hanukkah’ (the miracle of Hanukkah). After the Jews liberated the 2nd Holy Temple from the hands of the Greeks, they tried to light the Menorah but they could only find one small jar of sacred olive oil that was enough only for one day. However, the Hanukkah miracle is that it lasted for 8 days until fresh beaten olive oil could be brought from Galilee to the temple. That is the reason we celebrate for 8 days.

Alexander the Great (Macedon) conquered the land of Israel in 332 BCE and the Greeks ruled until the revolt of the Maccabees. The revolt began in 167 BCE resulting in the exile of the Greeks from the land of Israel. After their exile, Israel became an independent Kingdom, ruled by the Hashmonaim, for approximately 100 years, until 63 BCE – the beginning of the Roman Period.

It is important to emphasize that this event is neither mentioned in the Old Testament nor is it mentioned in the New Testament. The reason being is that it happened exactly between the two books. The only place you can find documentation is in the Book of Maccabees. This book is not part of the Bible.

Every evening, before Sunset, we light the candles in the Hanukkiah. In the first night one candle and the ‘Shamash’ (main candle) are lit. In the 2nd night, 2 candles and the ‘Shamash’ are lit, and so forth until all 8 candles are lit. Together with the lighting of the candles there is a special blessing as well as unique songs for Hanukkah.

The difference between the Menorah (the official symbol of the State of Israel) and the Hanukkiah is that the Menorah has 7 branches whereas the Hanukkiah has 9 branches (candles).

In this feast it is traditional to eat fried food, like ‘Sufganiah’ (donuts) or ‘Latkes’ (potato patties) etc.