Because this calendar follows the lunar (or moon) cycle, the holiday begins on a different date each year on the calendar you use the most, which is based on the sun cycles. The military leader of the first phase of the revolt was Judah the Maccabee, the eldest son of the priest Mattityahu (Mattathias). This can be understood as referring to the Maccabbees resting from their fight against the Syrian Greeks on the 25th of Kislev, the Hebrew date on which Hanukkah begins. Hanukkah is celebrated in several ways. Learning & Values. Comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemara, it contains the opinions of thousands of rabbis from different periods in Jewish history. Also be aware of dietary restrictions and steer clear of gift baskets that contain Canadian bacon, fancy dried shrimp, Italian blood sausage or Christmas fruitcake. In the days of the Chasidic leader, the Ba'al Shem Tov (1698-1760), rabbis often traveled to distant villages to give instruction to impoverished and illiterate Jews, generally refusing payment. The word 'Hanukkah' means 'Dedication' in Hebrew. Mar. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Following the Jewish victory in a three-year struggle against Antiochus, Judas ordered the cleansing and restoration of the Temple. Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean (Hasmonean) victories over the forces of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175164 bce) and the rededication of the Temple on Kislev 25, 164 bce. Mar. Getting ready to celebrate Hanukkah? Beginning in 175 B.C., the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes took over for his father to rule the Seleucid Empire, according to History.com. The Israelites, descendants of Abraham, were enslaved in Egypt for centuries before Moses led them to freedom. In addition to lighting each day one candle on the menorah, religious rituals can include daily reading of Scripture, recitation of some of the Psalms, almsgiving, and singing of a special hymn. The Importance of Storytelling. Welcome to The Hub for online Jewish classes and events. We light them with the aid of a shamash, which is the center candle or the. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Josephus referred to the holiday as the Festival of Lights and not as Hanukkah. "What You Need to Know About the Hanukkah Story." My Jewish Learning, https://www.myjewishlearning . Be sure to check heading and document order. are completed. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Cooking and Food. Be sure to check heading and document order. Falls in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually corresponds with December. Learn more about it here. A sacred obligation. When is Hanukkah?. Download a printable PDF of the Hanukkah candle blessings here. Learn more about the traditions in the resource links below. This time period is traditionally used for family learning, specifically to teach children about Hanukkah through study and discussion. Hanukkah ( Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime "festival of lights," celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. The first nights candle is placed in the right-most spot. The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Passover. Spin the Dreidel Game. Another reminder of the miracle of the legendary cruse of oil comes through the smells and tastes of oil that permeate special Hanukkah foods potato latkes (pancakes) for Ashkenazi Jews and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) for Sephardic Jews. In most places, passers-by enjoying seeing the candles through the window. Pronounced: sue-KOTE, or SOOH-kuss (oo as in book), Origin: Hebrew, a harvest festival in which Jews eat inside temporary huts, falls in the Jewish month of Tishrei, which usually coincides with September or October. The Hebrew name of the Festival of Lights literally means "dedication. Explore Hanukkahs history, global traditions, food and more with My Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series. The History of Hanukkah | My Jewish Learning Submit Nurses at Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, 1954. Other favorites includethe Sephardic delicacy bimuelos and use, of course, applesauce as a latke topping. This holiday is a reminder that everyone should be allowed to practice their own faith. I had incredible teachers there and a great early learning experience. Our mission is to inspire bold, joyful, meaningful living. Discover the history of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanukkah, Hanukkah - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Hanukkah - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). All Rights Reserved, My Jewish Learnings All About Hanukkah email series, Haneirot Hallalu: These Hanukkah Lights We Light. It is actually a quite minor festival. How to Celebrate Hanukkah At Home | My Jewish Learning Submit Source: Wikimedia Commons/Flikr Bot Email Sign Up Some areas of this page may shift around if you resize the browser window. We will guide you through lighting your menorah: where to place it, how and when to light it, and what to say. Get all the details on the holiday here. In Ashkenazi communities, the shamash candle is the first one lit, and it is used to light the others, starting with the left-most one. Find one today! In 2023, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Thursday, Dec. 7 and lasts until sundown on Friday, Dec. 15. Speaking Yiddish to Chickensis the first book to tell the story of these refugees including the authors grandparents and how they rebuilt their lives and their lost Jewish and Yiddish cultures in these unexpected places. Baruch atah Adonai, elohenu melech haolam, shehecheyanu, vkiyimanu, vhigiyanu lazman hazeh. We've by now spent quite some time on the issue of a nazir who accidentally contracts corpse impurity.We've discussed shaving the consecrated hair the nazirite was growing which has now become impure and can no longer be offered and the week-long purification ritual to reverse the corpse impurity of their body. When is Hanukkah 2023? To complete the ritual on all eight nights with one menorah, you will need a total of 44 candles per menorah. When I began kindergarten, I attended a public elementary school where my older sister and I were the only Jewish children enrolled. For eight nights, families say prayers and then light candles in an eight-branched candelabra called a menorah. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as Israels parliament, the Knesset. To support teaching around the Jewish festival of Hanukkah here is a collection of BBC resources for primary schools that can be used in the classroom. Candles are added to the hanukkiyah (menorah) from right to left but are kindled from left to right. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). After it was purified, a new altar was installed and dedicated on Kislev 25. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. As for Saturday night, the candles are lit after the sun goes down and Shabbat has ended, but there are differing opinions regarding whether the menorah should be lit before or after. This definition points to the holiday's origin as a celebration of the rededication of the ancient temple in Jerusalem. Jews around the. Judas then proclaimed that the dedication of the restored Temple should be celebrated every year for eight days beginning on that date. Pronounced: AHSH-ken-AH-zee, Origin: Hebrew, Jews of Central and Eastern European origin. Unleash your Hanukkah spirit with these adorably Jew-ish cats, dogs and other furry friends. Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. Therefore the story of a supernatural event centering on the oil a miracle would unquestionably answer any concerns about the legitimacy of celebrating the holiday. Pronounced: MISH-nuh, Origin: Hebrew, code of Jewish law compiled in the first centuries of the Common Era. According to Jewish law, the menorah should be lit before the Shabbat candles on Friday evening while it is still light out. In 2022, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 18 and lasts until sundown on Monday, Dec. 26. The traditional blessings and procedures for lighting the Hanukkah candles. Your cheat sheet for when Hanukkah is just hours away. What is the story of Hanukkah and why does it not appear in the Jewish bible? The Maccabees, having waged a three-year battle against the Syrian Greeks, managed to oust them from Jerusalem and reclaim the temple, which the Syrians had defiled. Hanukkah began to find new expression in the years leading up to the founding of the modern State of Israel. Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The newest candle is lit first. Therefore, many Jewish organizations erect large outdoor menorahs in their towns. According to I Maccabees, a text of the Apocrypha (writings excluded from the Jewish canon but included in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Old Testament canons), Antiochus had invaded Judaea, tried to Hellenize the Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Mar. Eidel If you want to honor the Yiddish language, perhaps choose the name Eidel. The tradition developed in Europe to give small amounts of money as well as nuts and raisins to children at this time. Explore the history of Hanukkah fashion, take a Jewish tour of Greece, learn Moroccan piyutim and more! In Israel Hanukkah is a national holiday, and students present plays, sing holiday songs, and have parties. Our reporting reflects the wide spectrum of religious, political and cultural identity that exists among Jews today. On Friday nights, the Hanukkah lights are kindled before the Shabbat candles. Host and moderator Robert Siegel is an American radio journalist. Click here for more details on how to light the Hanukkah candles. According to My Jewish Learning, Hanukkah, or the Festival of Rededication, celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE. MyJewishLearning.com is the premiere website for all things Jewish: history, holidays, and culture; quizzes, recipes and more, at www.myjewishlearning.com 161,698 people like this 168,721 people follow this http://www.myjewishlearning.com/ community@myjewishlearning.com Nonprofit Organization Privacy Policy Photos See all Videos See all 48:42 READ: 9 Things You Didnt Know About Hanukkah. On the first of Hanukkahs eight nights, only two candles are placed in the Hanukkah menorah: the shamash, or helper candle, which has its own designated spot (usually in the center), and another candle that designates it is the first night. Let's all sing, and let's all jump, And let's all dance together!Let everyone sing of the wonder, And let's all dance together! The Bakers Reimagining Traditional Jewish Pastries. Hanukkah, (Hebrew: Dedication) also spelled anukka, Chanukah, or Chanukkah, also called Feast of Dedication, Festival of Lights, or Feast of the Maccabees, Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December, according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. These books tell the story of the Maccabees, a small band of Jewish fighters who liberated the Land of Israel from the Syrian Greeks who occupied it. Interfaith families struggle to be true to the religions of both parents during the winter holiday season. The Maccabean revolt and the miracle of the oil. Sign up for our newsletter for The Yiddish "Oy Chanukah, Oy Channukah!" is a traditional holiday song that chronicles all the fun and delicious activities that take place during the eight nights of Hanukkah, including making. Today, gelt usually refers to chocolate coins, which are often used as ante for the dreidel pot (if theyre not gobbled up first). Color a menorah with a menorah craft template. The newest candle is lit first. When is Hanukkah 2023? Jews will often gather for communal celebrations and public candle lighting. 19, 2023 @ 4:00 pm EDT. She's faced a lot of antisemitism from her old friends and I wanted to do something for her for hanukkah. Talmud. In the post-Holocaust world, Jews are acutely aware of the issues raised by Hanukkah: oppression, identity, religious freedom and expression, and the need to fight for national independence. As the early pioneers in Israel found themselves fighting to defend against attacks, they began to connect with the ancient Jewish fighters who stood their ground in the same place. Learning & Values. In truth, the custom is probably a much later one. We cannot forget what has happened to us because we must share it with future generations. The story of how Hanukkah came to be is contained in the books of 1 and 2 Maccabees, which are not part of the Jewish canon of the Hebrew Bible. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. All Rights Reserved, 8 Hanukkah Traditions From Around the World, December Holiday Tips for Interfaith Parents, Al Hanisim: A Holiday Prayer of Thanks for Everyday Miracles, The 15 Best Hanukkah Pet Pictures on Instagram. Click here for a printable copy of the Hanukkah blessings. This is emphasized by special holiday songs, games and foods. Not only had. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days. Shammai held that all eight candles should be lit the first night, with the number decreasing by one each night thereafter. It's also the name of up-and-coming Israeli supermodel Eden Polani. Praised are you, Lord our God, Ruler of the universe, who made us holy through your commandments and commanded us to kindle the Hanukkah lights. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabeesover the Syrian Greek army, and the subsequent miracle of rededicating the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and restoring its menorah, or lamp. The blessings are said before the candles are lit. Chanukah is celebrated on the date (25 Kislev) each year that the Second Temple, which had been profaned by the Greek occupiers, was cleansed and restored for authentic Jewish worship. Mon. But what does the word Hanukkah even mean? Other than that, the two holidays have nothing in common. How the festival of lights became a holiday, and how it has evolved in modern times. There is no consensus among Ashkenazi rabbis, and the most widespread Sephardic custom is to recite havdalah first. My Jewish Learning is a not-for-profit and relies on your help. At such celebrations, Hanukkah songs are sung and traditional games such as dreidel are played. Make an oil lamp craft to explain the Hanukkah lamp story. With in New York, Washington, Israel, Europe and cities around the globe, JTA provides . Many Hanukkah foods are deep-fried in oil, symbolizing the oil from the menorah used in the Temple. As you do, say or sing: Download a printable version of the Hanukkah blessings. The Greeks attempted to Hellenize the Jews and abolish many Jewish practices and many Jews willingly complied. The eight-day festival of Hanukkah has become a beloved and joyous holiday. Sign up to take a journey through Hanukkah and go deeper into the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah has developed into a holiday rich with historical significance, physical and supernatural miracle narratives, and a dialogue with Jewish history. Celebrating Hanukkah In the United States, Hanukkah, or Chanukah, is one of the most widely known Jewish holidays, even outside of the Jewish community. In II Maccabees the celebration is compared to the festival of Sukkoth (the Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths), which the Jews were unable to celebrate because of the invasion of Antiochus. Hanukkah commemorates the victory in 164 B.C. By including your family in the project-building, you'll not only be making fun things but creating important memories as well. "The word Hanukkah means 'dedication,' and commemorates the miracle of light that occurred when Judah rededicated the Temple to the Hebrew god," National Geographic explained . Session Date: Tuesday, 12.12.2023Session Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm Time: 12:00 pm EDT. But a small band of the devout, led by the Matitiyahu the Priest and his son Judah Maccabee, led a successful rebellion . 1. Think again! What Are the Symbols of Hanukkah and What Do They Mean? Include Hanukkah science activities (like projects with candles or dreidel activities) Use Hanukkah story sequencing pictures to understand the history. From bonfires to hanging menorahs to an extra candle, here are some lesser-known Jewish Hanukkah traditions from all over the globe. , , , . We celebrate Hanukkah at home by lighting the menorah (each night we light one additional candle to the number from the previous night), playing dreidel, and eating special foods unique to Hanukkah. Jewish Life. While it is by no means a secularized holiday, Hanukkah in America does include many of the same elements as Christmas. Texts & Writings. One light is added each night to fulfill the concept of lo moridim ba-kodesh (one does not decrease in holiness). of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had . RJ on the Go: Interactive Jewish Experiences, Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA). With, Temple Emanu-El Author Series: Margarita Gokun Silver, I Named My Dog Pushkin, Jewish Languages Today: Endangered, Surviving, and Thriving, Jewish Languages: From Aramaic to Yiddish. Hence every menorahhas a ninth light, the shamash, or helper, whose purpose is to provide light and to kindle the other candles. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. While Hanukkah is not a major holiday in the Jewish tradition, it has become increasingly important because it coincides with (or is very close to) Christmas.

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