...Hannukah Around the World Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. It is in fact the only Jewish holiday that is not mentioned in Jewish scripture. It starts on the 25th of the Jewish month of Kislev, which coincides with late November-late December on the secular calendar. In Hebrew, the word "hanukkah" means "dedication." The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. Hanukkah traditions are strictly followed to celebrate the festival. One of the very important Hanukkah traditions is lighting the nine-branched candelabrum called Menorah. One candle is lit on each night of the eight-day festival. Three Jewish prayers are chanted before the candles on the Menorah are lit. According to the Hanukkah tradition, an extra candle is used to light the rest of the candles of the candelabrum. The extra candle is called as the "Shamash" or the 'servant candle', the single candle located at the middle of the candelabrum. After all the lights are kindled, Hanukkah songs are sung as part of the Hanukkah traditions. Games such as dreidel are played. Traditional Hanukkah food is cooked during the festival with oil as the key ingredient. Delicious Jelly donuts, fried latkes, pancakes, deep fried puffs are some of the most common foods served during the festival. Gift giving is another popular Hanukkah tradition. The Jewish children receive small...
Words: 616 - Pages: 3
...The History of Hanukkah Chester Blunt Jr. Rel/134 Instructor: William Umstetter May 19, 2013 In this paper titled The History of Hanukkah Ido not use first person in APA plan to touch on key points of the origin of Hanukkah, what time of the year is it celebrated, the various religious practices that are associated with Hanukkah, and also the theological or cultural differences that might lead to differences in the observance of the holy day by the various branches of Judaism. I hope that in my readings you will get a better understanding for the tradition of Hanukkah. Double space most everything in APA The Jewish festival of Hanukkah started back in the year 165 B.C.E. when the Jews of Judea stood up against the overwhelming oppression of King Antiochus IV Epiphanes who ruled over the Seleucid Empire. King Antiochus wanted all the Jewish people to give up their religious beliefs and principals. He ordered them to start worshipping Greek Gods. He also ordered them to the soldiers to make the Jews bow down in front of Greek God’s idol and eat pig. In Jewish culture eating the meat of a pig is against Jewish law. Everyone did not agree with this but there were some that did it out of fear. The rebellion was headed up by a small group of Jewish fighters. These soldiers fought against the Greeks for the land of Israel. King Antiochus intensified his crusade to take over the land by desecrating the Temple of Jerusalem and outlawing Jewish...
Words: 1192 - Pages: 5
...Hanukkah/Passover Hanukkah, the festival of lights. An eight day holiday that begins at the end of the lunar month of Kislev. Around the months of November or December. Hanukkah is often called a minor festival because does not require abstaining from work. Hanukkah celebrates a victorious Jewish military victory against the tyrannical Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV and a miraculous supply of oil for the Temple. The most important observance of Hanukkah is the lighting of the candles on the traditional eight branched candelabra, which reassures the Jewish people of God’s support against all odds. The eight branched candelabra also known as the menorah, symbolizes religious liberty, national, and cultural freedom won by the Maccabees for their people. During Hanukkah the menorah is lit one candle each night representing the miracle of that day, by the end of the eighth day there will be eight candles lit. Differences in observance is mainly of giving gifts, which is a rather new tradition. Pesach or Passover is a celebration of freedom. This festival begins on the 15th of the Jewish month of Nissan. Although this Holy day commemorates the redemption of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt, it also represents the beginning of the harvest season in Israel. Passover is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish year. Passover is celebrated for seven days in Israel and for eight days in the Diaspora; meaning outside of Israel. The reason for this difference has to...
Words: 359 - Pages: 2
...Jewish Holy Day of Hanukkah REL/134 November 1, 2011 Instructor: Tim Westley Jewish Holy Day of Hanukkah With most religions there are special times of the year that people of faith celebrate holidays associated with the religion one practices. Hanukkah or Chanukah celebrates the Jewish rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the Second century B.C. Legend says Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors during the Maccabean Revolt (History.com, 2011). The meaning of Hanukkah in Hebrew is dedication, and is an eight day festival, known as the festival of lights which begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev; usually in the months of November or December. Hanukkah for those who do not practice Judaism is probably the best known holiday celebrated in the Jewish faith. The reason for this knowledge is because of its proximity to the Christmas holiday celebrated by Christians. Hanukkah is not the Jewish Christmas that many non-Jews come to believe (Jewish Virtual Library, 2011). The Hanukkah celebration praises a miracle which is said to have occurred during the Maccabean Revolt. It is said that God made the one day's worth of oil burn for eight days, thus giving us the term Festival of Lights. There is only one essential ritual of Hanukkah and it is the lighting of candles. The Hanukkah candles are held a candelabrum which holds nine candles. This is special form of menorah (Molloy, 2010). The menorah in the Jewish faith is believed to portray the...
Words: 822 - Pages: 4
...Name: Instructors name: Course: Date: Jewish Holy Day of Hanukkah With many religions worldwide, there are special and dedicated times of the year where followers celebrate the associated holidays with the religion practiced. I had the privilege of celebrating one of the historic Jewish Holy Days called Hanukkah or Chanukah with my friends from the Jewish community. Chanukah or Hanukkah celebrates Jewish rededication of their temple in Jerusalem during the second century. Chanukah or Hanukkah as I came to learn means dedication in Hebrew and it commemorates a miracle which is oil based. The festival ran for eight consecutive days and each of the days was marked with games, dances, songs, oily fried foods, candle lighting and a lot of joy and laughter. Each day of Hanukkah we thanked God by reciting a complete ‘Hallel’ during the Morning Prayer service. We also inserted a special thanks giving prayer and read from the Torah. After each Morning Prayer service we ate oily fried foods such as fried potato pancakes also known as latkes, deep fried doughnuts also known as sufganiyot, cheese and a lot of dairy foods. We also got to play dreidel games. From the brief history given I came to learn that during the ancient days, the Greek oppressors banned Torah schools and so the young children would study deep in the forest. All this while, they would post sentry to make them aware of Greek patrols. When the soldiers came, the kids would hide or bury their texts into the...
Words: 379 - Pages: 2
...Hanukkah Aaron Martin Anita Rubio John Nobles Jaswinder Singh Porche Perry REL/134 April 30, 2012 Gary D. Christiansen, M.DIV., M. Ed. Hanukkah Hanukkah is an early winter festival recalling the rededication of the “Second Temple” with the lighting of candles for eight days. In 167 BCE the Seleucid ruler, Antiochus IV took over the temple, apparently with the intention of introducing the worship of Greek God Zeus to the site. He deliberately placed on the altar a dish of pork; a forbidden meat. He also forbade circumcision; a religious practice. His acts caused so much hatred among the Jews that they rebelled. Led by the Jewish family of five brothers, the Maccabees; the Jews took back the rule of their country, and the temple was rededicated to the worship of Israel’s one God. This winter festival widely kept today is a joyous memorial that recalls the rededication of the “Second Temple”, which is observed for eight days and eight nights starting on the 25th day of Kislev (according to the Hebrew calendar), which may occur any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by the kindling of the lights of a unique candelabrum, the nine-branched Menorah or Hanukiah, one additional light on each night of the holiday, progressing to eight on the final night. The typical Menorah consists of eight branches with an additional raised branch. The extra light is called a Shamash and is given a distinct location, usually...
Words: 1568 - Pages: 7
...Jewish Holy Day - Hanukkah Fizza Sikandar REL 134 December 20, 2010 Jim Davidson Jewish Holy Day – Hanukkah Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates for eight days and nights. Jewish holy day Hanukkah is the holy celebration for Jewish people, which starts on 25th of the Jewish month. The Jewish month of Kislev, the Kislev is the month that starts from late November to late December on Jewish calendar. The story of Hanukkah begins in the time in power of Alexander the Great. Alexander overpowers the Syria, Egypt, and Palestine, which he permits the lands under his control to continue own religions, tradition, and keep hold of a certain degree of self-government. The word “Hanukkah” owns it meaning from Hebrew language as “Dedication.” The dedication is best reminder of holiday re-dedication of the holy temple in Jerusalem, when Jewish won the victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 BCE. After making Hanukkah as the holiday for eight days and night, many Jewish people did not give more important to Hanukkah as the Jewish holiday. However, in modern days, Hanukkah has become popular and modern practice as same as Christmas. Hanukkah starts on the twenty-fifth day of the Kislev (Jewish month). Hanukkah holiday do compare to Christmas holiday because Hanukkah usually falls between late November and late December and mostly celebrates in Christian societies. Hanukkah has some similarity to Christmas because during the Hanukkah festive, all the Jewish children...
Words: 729 - Pages: 3
...Jewish Holy Day Hanukkah REL/134 Jewish Holy Day Hanukkah Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights. Jewish law says Hanukkah is one of the less important Jewish holidays. Hanukkah is much more widespread now because of the date are close to Christmas. The Hebrew calendar determines the dates of Hanukkah. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, and concludes on the 2nd or 3rd day of Tevet. Kislev can have 29 or 30 days. These dates correspond with late November through late December on the nonspiritual calendar. According to the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah starts at sunset on 16 December 2014, 6 December 2015 and 24 December 2016. During the year of 2013, Hanukkah started at sunset on 27 November 2013. The American holiday Thanksgiving Day, was on 28 November 2013 during Hanukkah. This was the third time Thanksgiving occurred during Hanukkah since President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday. This incident occurred last in 1899 and is said not to occur again in the foreseeable future based on the Jewish calendar. The definition of the Hebrew word Hanukkah is dedication. This definition prompts us to realize that the Jewish holiday memorializes the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews successfully took conquered the Greeks in 165 B.C.E. The Jewish Temple was taken over in 165 B.C.E. by Greek military and devoted to the reverence the god Zeus. The takeover was an unexpected...
Words: 1043 - Pages: 5
...Hanukkah Kristina Bell 134 May 8, 2013 EDWIN ZACKERISON Hanukkah My belief about Hanukkah was that it was Christmas for Jews. It is not Christmas, but their tradition has some things in common with Christmas such as traditional foods, family coming together, and gift-giving. It falls around the same time, but does not have the same meaning. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and nights, while Christmas is celebrated for one day out the year. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees or Israelites over the Greek Syrian ruler, Antiochus about 2200 years and Christmas represents the birth of Jesus. The name Hanukkah reminds us that this holiday commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian Greeks. When the temple was re-dedicated, God miraculously made the one day’s worth of oil brightly for eight days. Hanukkah was not such a popular holiday until the late 19th century. It became popular and today it is one of the most celebrated holidays for Jews. Since Hanukkah falls four days before the new moon and close to the winter solstice it made since for light to be a key element of this holiday. The only essential ritual of Hanukkah is the lighting of the candles. Each night of Hanukkah an additional candle is placed in the menorah from right to left and then lit from left to right. On the last night, all the candles are lit. During or after the candles are lit the Jews have certain blessing...
Words: 475 - Pages: 2
...Hanukkah lights should burn for at least one half hour after it gets dark. The custom of the Vilna Gaon observed by many residents of Jerusalem as the custom of the city, is to light at sundown, although most Hassidim light later, even in Jerusalem. Many Hasidic Rebbes light much later, because they fulfill the obligation of publicizing the miracle by the presence of their Hasidim when they kindle the lights. Inexpensive small wax candles sold for Hanukkah burn for approximately half an hour, so on most days this requirement can be met by lighting the candles when it is dark outside. Friday night presents a problem, however. Since candles may not be lit on the Shabbat itself, the candles must be lit before sunset. However, they must remain lit until the regular time—thirty minutes after nightfall—and inexpensive Hanukkah candles do not burn long enough to meet the requirement. A simple solution is to use longer candles, or the traditional oil lamps. In keeping with the above-stated prohibition, the Hanukkah menorah is lit first, followed by the Shabbat candles which signify its onset.[original research?] [edit] Blessings over the candles Typically three blessings (Brachot singular Brachah) are recited during this eight-day festival. On the first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite all three blessings; on all subsequent nights, they recite only the first two.[37] The blessings are said before or after the candles are lit depending on tradition. On the first night of Hanukkah...
Words: 2121 - Pages: 9
...Hanukkah Kelley Patterson Rel/134 July 24, 2013 Mr. Traffanstedt Hanukkah If a person is not Jewish then they may not understand or even know what Hanukkah is. I assumed like most people that Hanukkah was like the Jewish Christmas. After researching this holiday I have found that it is nothing like Christmas. So this leaves some people asking what Hanukkah is and what makes it so special? In this paper I will discuss the historical origin, the meaning of the day, when it takes place, and the activities that go along with the celebration of Hanukkah. This story of the Jews and Hanukkah dates back to a rocky time in the history of the Jews. It begins when the Jew’s was in the territory of Israel, which was governed by Syria, during this time under Antiochus III ruling, they always had been allowed to freely follow their customs until Antiochus IV Epiphanes became ruler in 175BCE. Antiochus IV forbid the Jewish religion and forced the Jews to worship the Greek Gods. Antiochus increasingly persecuted the Jews throughout his reign. The Jews were killed in large numbers, their temple in Jerusalem was vandalized, and in 167 BCE an alter to Zeus was built inside the temple, this angered the Jews and at this point they decided to fight back. A priest named Mattathias and his sons, who included Judah Maccabee, led the battle against Antiochus. Although they were greatly out numbered, they won the fight. Upon the return to their temple, they discovered it had been...
Words: 853 - Pages: 4
... 2013 Hanukkah Hanukkah is an eight day and night celebration. That begins in the Jewish month called Kislev, occurring in November or December of a secular calendar. The word Hanukkah means dedication. The holiday is rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem (165 B.C). The event was established when Jewish victory over the Syrian Greeks. Hanukkah is a holiday that has significance like Christmas. The celebration has a meaningful history, traditions practices, and cultural differences in the various branches of Judaism. The story is in 168 B.C. the Jewish temple was seized by the Syrian Greek soldiers. The Jewish people were afraid to fight back. After the Syrian Greek Emperor ordered all Jews to worship Greek gods. The Jews began to resistance and join together to retake their land from the Greeks. The rebels were called Maccabees. Maccabees got control of their land and returned to the temple of Jerusalem. The Jews were forced to eat swine and worship ideal gods. So to cleanse their selves they burned ritual oils in the temple of Jerusalem for eight days. The significant thing was there was only enough oil for one day but, the oil surprised the Jews and lasted eight days. That was the miracle of Hanukkah. There are many traditions when it comes to celebrating Hanukkah. The celebration involves games, the songs, and foods. One of the games is called dreidel. It’s the spinning of the four side toy. The songs are like Dreidel song, and the Hanukkah song made...
Words: 775 - Pages: 4
...dreidel, and gelt? Hanukkah is known as the Feast of Lights or the eight-day Jewish celebration (Molloy, 2010). When the menorah is all-light up on the eighth day, what a beautiful sight. Hanukkah marks a great day in the Jewish history. Throughout this paper, the following will be cover in regards to Hanukkah: the time of year, historical origin, religious practice(s), and cultural differences in observance of this day. Hanukkah occurs during the early winter (Molloy, 2010). This year in 2012 Hanukkah will begin on the evening of December 8 and end on the evening of December 16 (History.com, 2012). Each year is different depending on the year. There are times that Hanukkah can land in late November and early December. Hanukkah dates back to 165 B.C. (Gitelman, Jan/Feb 1997), this is when the Second Temple was rededicated. The rededication of the Second Temple occurred in Jerusalem. This is what happens for Hanukkah to occur. Antiochus IV Epiphanies son of Antiochus III, the Seleucid king of Syria, wanted the Jews to discontinue their worship to one God. He wanted the Jews to worship the Greek Gods. During this time, he outlawed the Jewish religion. Many Jews were slaughter like the pigs that were sacrificed for Zeus as they overtook the Second Temple. Matthias the Jewish priest fought back until his death, his son Judah then took over and within two years was able to defeat Antiochus IV (History.com, 2012). That day marked the beginning of Hanukkah. Judah had the...
Words: 719 - Pages: 3
...Hanukkah Hanukkah Hanukkah an eight-day celebration by the Jew's. This Jewish holiday is a rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah means dedication is Hebrew language and begins on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This holiday normally falls in between November and December on the American calendar. People celebrate Hanukkah with lighting of the menorah, traditional foods, games, and gifts. Story behind the meaning Hanukkah was inspired by a terrible event that took place around 200 B.C. Judea, the land of Israel, had became controlled by Antiochus III. Antiochus III was the king of Syria. He let the Jew's keep practicing their religion but his son, Antiochus IV, on the other hand was more evil and diminishing. Antiochus IV outlawed the Jew's and made them worship the Greek God's. In 168 B.C., Antiochus IV, sent his soldiers to kill the Jew's and tear up their city's holy Second Temple and sacrificing pigs within its sacred walls. The Jewish community was led by the priest, Mattathias and his five sons, to fight back for the Jewish land and Second Temple. When Mattathias died in 166 B.C., Mattathias son, Judah Maccabee, stepped up to the plate and gain control back of their land. Judah took back control of the land after two years, finally pushing Antiochus out of Jerusalem. Judah relied on different tactics, such as guerilla warfare. He gathers followers to help clean and restore the alter of the Second Temple and light the menorah...
Words: 901 - Pages: 4
...Thematic Unit Plan Miryum Mochkin TEAM Curriculum Development and Planning TEM 730 Etti Siegel October 27, 2013 Thematic Unit Plan In honor of the Holiday of Chanukah, in my Pre-K classroom I plan to spend two weeks dedicated to teaching this topic. This will give you the full spectrum of what and how the pre-k will be learning about this special holiday. The topic will be incorporated so that the children’s learning experience with all five senses. An article in the San Francisco Examiner explained that by incorporating the five senses into the learning experience of a child, “One creates opportunities for each child to reach beyond their abilities. Then they will discover what a wonderful world they have to discover and enjoy” (Heyen 2012). The lesson goal is for the children and be prepared physically, mentally, and spiritually for the holiday. The children will learn the origin and understand all the symbolism surrounding this holiday. The point is to get the children to understand the value of their unique history as a part of the Jewish nation. As a result of this lesson each child will be gain a deeper rooted connection to his individual Jewish identity. There is a collective responsibility to preserve Judaism as a community. Literature will be the initial focus regarding the celebration of Chanukah. Through auditory and visual stimulation provided by the books the children...
Words: 1050 - Pages: 5
