history of the holiday
Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Candles. This is one of the important Jewish holidays, it is celebrated in memory of a miracle that happened in Israel. After the death of Alexander the Great, who ruled it for a long time and did not interfere in the religious aspects of life, Judea was under the rule of various rulers until it was captured by the Seleucids. The dictator Antiochus Epiphanes, who then came to power, began to pursue a policy of infringement on the Jews: during his reign, it was forbidden to study the Torah, to observe traditions, and temples were devastated, furnishing them with idols.
Then the people raised an uprising that lasted three years. The Jewish resistance was small and unprepared, but this did not prevent them from defeating the Greeks, leading a covert struggle. The power of Antiochus was overthrown, and the Jews proved that faith and fortitude are more important than the number of soldiers. But during the ongoing conflict, most of their shrines were desecrated and destroyed.
After the victory, the Jews climbed the Temple Mount to cleanse and sanctify the defiled Jerusalem Temple. But there was only one jug of “pure” oil for lamps in it. Such a small amount of oil would have been enough for only a day, but a miracle happened – the lamp burned for eight days. During this time, the believers cleaned the Temple and prepared new oil.
And in memory of the events that have taken place for a long time, people light candles these days, expressing gratitude to the Lord for his help, support and a miracle.
Holiday traditions
Hanukkah is translated from Hebrew as “the grand opening.” The celebration lasts eight days, and all this time the Jews burn candles in a special candlestick – Hanukkah, and the prayer “Halel” is read in the synagogues. The number of candles in the candlestick is equal to the day of the holiday: on the first day, only one candle burns, on the eighth, the entire Hanukkah is filled. Candles are always placed from left to right and are lit from a special candle – shamash, it is lit on all days of the holiday. You can also use a special lamp for olive oil – an analogue of the one that was in the Temple.
Hanukkah is placed on the windowsill, thus the believers fulfill the covenant “to divulge the miracle to everyone.” It is believed that the light from Hanukkah dispels evil, so it has historically been a tradition to help those in need with money so that everyone can afford to celebrate the holiday.
It is forbidden to fast these days, so the Jews arrange magnificent feasts and have fun. On the table must be present “latkes” – potato pancakes and donuts (they are cooked in a large amount of oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar), as well as dairy products and cheese dishes.
Holidays during Hanukkah are only for children, which is why the holiday is sometimes called “children’s”, while adults continue to work. But while the candles are burning, women cannot do any work, so they express gratitude to the Almighty for the miracle of Hanukkah.
Festive events are designed for children, they are given gifts and give money. But the child must give part of the donated money to charity – this is how he is taught to manage wealth. Although the tradition of giving gifts did not appear immediately, but due to the fact that the Feast of Candles falls on the eve of Christmas, Jewish children sometimes envied their fellow Christian families who received gifts at Christmas, so over time, the tradition of making presents for Jewish children also became stronger. Hanukkah.
The value of gifts grows with each of the eight days of the holiday. Therefore, when choosing a gift for a child, be guided by the day on which the present will be presented: on the first day it should be something modest – a small toy, doll, designer. On the second day, prepare gifts for others with your children, thereby accustoming them to caring for those in need. On the third day, something educational for the development of the child will be a wonderful gift. Decorative and real coins are usually given on the fourth day of the celebration. On the fifth day, the gift must be of a religious nature. On the sixth and seventh days of Hanukkah, a gift can be associated with family and family values. On the eighth, most important day, they give the most expensive gift.
Also, during Hanukkah, they play “dreidel” – they spin a top, on the sides of which Hebrew letters are written, from which the abbreviated saying “A great miracle happened there” is made: it was in this way that during the bans and persecutions they studied the language and the Torah.
Hanukkah is celebrated by all Jews – this is a holiday of joy and hope, in which it is customary to have fun and walk. And the fire of candles in every window reminds us that the Lord will always protect from darkness.