Tonight at Sundown, the sacred Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins. Also known as the Festival of Lights, this 8 day celebration always occurs on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Jewish calendar, which typically falls anywhere from late November to late December – this year, Hanukkah runs from sundown on December 16th through the evening of December 24th.
Hanukkah is very important in that it commemorates the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem during second century B.C. – a time when Israel was under the Greek empire. As the Greeks continued to rule, Jewish traditions and rituals began to be ignored in favor of Greek culture and influences. Eventually, the Jews were forbidden to practice their religion altogether, and the Holy Temple was desecrated, which caused a small group of Jews known as the Maccabees to revolt against the Greek ruler of the time, Antiochus.
After some time, the revolt was successful, and the Jews regained control of the Holy Temple, which they promptly cleansed, restored and rededicated. The menorah – the 9 branch traditional Jewish candelabrum – needed to be relit during the rededication, as it was meant to burn continuously, however only enough olive oil for one day of burning could be found in the temple. Miraculously, that oil lasted for 8 days, and the menorah was able to continue burning until new oil could be made.
Today, Jews celebrate these miraculous 8 days by lighting one candle on the traditional 9 branch menorah each night during Hanukkah until the 8th day when all the candles have been lit. The 9th and most often central candle is known as the helper flame, or the shemash, and is used to light the other 8 candles. This is because, according to tradition, the other 8 candles may not be used for any purpose other than celebrating and mediating upon Hanukkah.
The menorah is always placed in a prominent outward facing window within the home to publically display and celebrate the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the temple.
Besides the menorah, other traditions include gift giving, eating various foods fried in oil – such as latkes (fried potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts) – to commemorate the long lasting olive oil in the temple, and playing spin the dreidel with four Jewish letters – nun, gimel, hei and shin.
Regardless of whether or not you celebrate Hanukkah, it’s important to appreciate and understand this significant Jewish holiday. To all of our Jewish friends, we at Daystar wish you a very Happy Hanukkah as you celebrate with family and friends!