Nowadays, even though olive oil is affordable, dairy is often added on top of a latke - usually in the form of a dollop of sour cream. The holiday begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. They sought to destroy the Jewish people by outlawing the most essential Jewish practices and encouraging complete assimilation. Consul General Abdalla Shaheen of the United Arab Emirates had brought his daughter to light one of the candles, and Consul General Israel Nitzan of Israel gave her a stuffed animal as a … Hanukkah is a holiday of hope, one that teaches us that there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we let God be our guiding light and do our best to shine our own. Since the practice of the people was to be in their homes within one half- hour after nightfall, and the primary Jewish obligation was to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah, the practice of displaying the Hanukkah lights was designed for pedestrian traffic. We’ve grown to value bringing light to darkness, and the distinction of each. The Jews could only find one jar of pure olive oil required for lighting the lamp — only enough to last one day. Mark Gerson: On Hanukkah, advertising the miracle A miracle is something that should be appreciated, understood and shared with others. The battle between the Jews and the Greeks was more than a physical battle; it was a battle of ideals and values. The only outfit available is an armadillo so he creates a new holiday character called 'The Holiday Armadillo' - Santa’s south-of-the-border friend who teaches Ben about the importance and history of Hanukkah. Judith remained unmarried for the rest of her life and in memory of her bravery and purity Jews make sure to eat dairy products during Hanukkah. Miracle Lights. Every year in November or December, Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is celebrated for eight days and nights in a row. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights, sees Jews around the world light one candle on a nine-branched menorah - or 'hanukiah candelabrum' - each day. The word Hanukkah means 'rededication' and commemorates the Jews' struggle for religious freedom, when the leaders of a Jewish rebel army called the Maccabees rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt of 167 BC (BCE). If the Greeks came calling, the pupils would pull out their tops and pretend to be playing a game. Jewish comedian Adam Sandler was a regular on Saturday Night Live before he became famous for starring in terrible movies. The servant light, called the Shamash, lights the other lights just as Yeshua gives us light. There are special additions to the daily prayer service, and a section is added to the blessing after meals. Jewish people celebrate the miracle of light over Hanukkah. The Chanukah miracle, though encountered by relatively few, benefitted the many. The Jews cherished the soul. In Hebrew, Hanukkah is pronounced with the letter 'chet'. Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein is the founder and president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, which now raises more than $140 million per year, mostly from Christians, to assist Israel and the Jewish people. The Assyrians, having lost their leader, fled and Israel was saved. 'Sufganiyot' are round deep-fried jam or custard-filled doughnuts which are topped with powdered sugar. This tiny group of pious Jews, who called themselves the Maccabees, managed to defeat the mighty Greek army. Mar 4, 2019 - Explore April Robertson-Townsend's board "Hanukkah-Miracle of Lights" on Pinterest. Judaism was prohibited, circumcision was banned and pigs were ordered to be sacrificed at the altar. Ross, who is entertaining his young (and half-Jewish) son Ben during the week of Christmas, tries at the last minute to find a Santa costume. Check out these five facts about the festival of lights. The Jews could only find one jar of pure olive oil required for lighting the lamp — only enough to last one day. Then, they light the shamash candle, and blessings are recited thanking God for performing a miracle for their Jewish ancestors and for performing miracles today. A giant Hanukkah Menorah is set up in front off the German landmark Brandenburg Gate, by the Jewish Chabad Educational Center for Hanukkah 2019, Sufganiyot (Jewish donuts for Hanukkah) filled with blackberry jam, An Israeli boy spins a Dreidel as he takes part in a competition during the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, What Donald Trump's impeachment means and his chances of a comeback. Discover more about this celebration of God's wondrous miracles and the many important lessons Hanukkah has for us through Rabbi Eckstein's insightful reflections. Beyond the traditions of a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah is a celebration of the rise of the righteousness. The Greeks won over many Jews — known as Hellenists — some of whom then became the worst enemies of Jews who adhered to their faith and the Bible. The candelabrum is required to burn throughout the night every night but, according to legend, although there was only enough oil for one day the candles miraculously stayed alight for eight days – the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of kosher oil for the menorah. It was a small faction of this group who resisted the Greeks and ultimately rebelled. This event became known as 'the miracle of the oil' and is now marked with this eight-day festival. Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders in Connecticut’s Jewish community say the themes of Hanukkah, which starts at sundown Thursday, are more relevant than ever. and therefore is not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. The original Chanukah miracle was for its own sake. But when the fighters arrived at the Temple, they were devastated to find it completely desecrated. The Jews maintained that holiness was beautiful. CP VOICES do not necessarily reflect the views of The Christian Post. Hanukkah is celebrated with a series of rituals that are performed every day throughout the eight-day holiday, some are family-based and others communal. The organization has offices in Jerusalem, Chicago, Toronto and Seoul. Do you want award-winning journalism with a Christian worldview, delivered to your inbox? In the wake of Alexander’s appearance in and departure from Jerusalem, relations between Jews and Greeks were so good that an exchange of cultures took place. It is, appropriately, a Hanukkah miracle, as Grossman is Jewish and it did happen during the festival of lights. The miracle of Hanukkah came when it was time to light the Temple lampstand, called the menorah. Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, celebrates the bravery of the Maccabees and the miracle of light. A family of priests, led by their father Mattityahu, headed to the hills of Judea where they launched a guerrilla warfare campaign against the Greek army. Sunday evening marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. While the Greeks tried to extinguish the light of the Torah, a great miracle happened, and the small group of loyal Jews were able to vanquish the darkness. Alexei Navalny returning to Russia for first time since nerve agent poisoning, Boris Johnson chooses Cornwall to host G7 summit providing £50m 'levelling-up' boost to the region. Learning Torah was outlawed by the enemy, a 'crime' punishable by death and Jewish children were forced to study in secret. They wanted to rededicate the desecrated temple, but could find only one container of the sacred oil needed which had the seal of the high priest still intact. Lighting the menorah for Hanukkah honors the miracle of the rededication of the Second Temple. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. In 1994, Sandler wrote and performed 'The Chanukah Song', a novelty ditty which deals with the issue of Jewish children feeling alienated during the Christmas season. The Meaning of Hanukkah — The Miracle of Light, Violinist Itzhak Perlman performs during a National Hanukkah Menorah lighting ceremony to mark the first night of Hanukkah in Washington December 1, 2010, Do you want award-winning journalism with a, Johnnie Moore: Biden, conservatives have much in common on international religious freedom, More contagious COVID variant found in 15 US states, Religious makeup of the 117th Congress is 88% Christian, Chinese agents raid homeschool run by persecuted megachurch, Religious Freedom Day: Recovering our first freedom after a rough 2020. These four letters form the acronym of the phrase: "Nes gadol hayah sham," "A great miracle happened there"; a reference to the Hanukkah miracle of the oil. During the darkest time of the year, when the days are short and the nights long, we celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. In Jewish Living: A Guide to Contemporary Reform Practice by Rabbi Mark Washofsky, we read: “The Hasmoneans…searched and found only one small cruise of oil, hidden away under the seal of the High Priest. Donald Trump's impeachment timeline – what could happen next? Undaunted, they cleaned it up, removed the idols, and rededicated the Temple on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Sandler lists Jewish celebrities (both real and fictional) as a way of sympathising with the children's situation. The miracle of Hanukkah will go on During World War II, when Britain was battered and bombed by Nazi Germany, people were able to be together, to sympathize with hugs and shoulders to lean on. The Miracle of Hanukkah. The dreidel dates back to the time of the Greek-Syrian rule over the Holy Land - the one which set off the Maccabean revolt (see above). In part, the holiday is about the “miracle of the light,” said Rabbi Brian … See more ideas about hanukkah, hanukkah decorations, hannukah. She then killed him and returned to the town with his severed head. In more Northern communities, where olive oil was scarce and expensive, goose or chicken fat was often used for frying so potato pancakes (latkes), apple fritters, and other non-dairy fried foods became the norm. The repeating, resounding miracle, declared the following year, is each generation’s annual rededication. Games are often played during the festival, including spinning the dreidel which is the Yiddish word for a spinning top. On the first night of Hanukkah, one candle is placed in the far right branch. For Hanukkah, Jews customarily eat fried foods to commemorate the miracle associated with the temple oil. International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Is No Longer an Atheist, Says 'I believe Religion Is Very Important', The Miracle of Hanukkah, Yesterday and Today, Christmas Eve and Hanukkah: An Amazing Convergence, Evangelical Leaders Pray With Trump in Oval Office, Present Him 'Friends of Zion' Award, Looking For Joy Amid Chaos? Today, we commemorate this miracle by lighting our own menorahs for eight nights. The Jews stood for goodness, godliness, and kindness. After several years of fighting, they succeeded in liberating the Temple in Jerusalem and driving the enemy from their midst. Find out how much you know about the history and traditions of Hanukkah with our quiz. Since its founding, The Fellowship has raised more than $1.4 billion for this work. During the Babylonian captivity of the Jews, the town of Bethulia in Judea was under siege and its population on the verge of surrender due to lack of water. These pastries were cooked in oil and called sufganin (absorbent) because they absorbed a lot of oil in cooking. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most joyous times on the Jewish calendar. Hanukkah — The Miracle of Light Hanukkah is one of the most joyful holidays on the Jewish calendar — and one most familiar to Christians. The miracle of Hanukkah is testament to the positive momentum that can be built when just one step forward is taken. Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights, sees Jews around the world light one candle on a nine-branched menorah - or 'hanukiah candelabrum' - … In the 2nd century BCE, the Greeks controlled the nation of Israel and had oppressed the Jews. In the following years, these days were appointed as a festival on which Hallel was said. The rebellion began when the Greeks demanded that the Jews sacrifice a pig to Greek gods. The Jewish rebellion that followed was led by Judah Maccabee, (or Y'hudhah HaMakabi, meaning "Judah the Hammer"). Nowhere in this blood-soaked tale is there any mention of oil or the “power of light or miracles,” and there is definitely very little on the topic of joy. The first part of the miracle is something that has happened time and time again in the history of Israel: God granted the Jewish people deliverance from their powerful enemies when, from a human standpoint, it … During Hanukkah, people of Jewish faith celebrate a great miracle that occurred, and the religious freedom it now represents. Elon Musk’s 'back to work' tweet: A lesson for inner-city children? Although according to Jewish custom Hanukkah is considered a “minor” Jewish festival, today it ranks—along with Passover and Purim—as one of the most beloved Jewish holidays, full of light and joy and family celebration.. I pray that these devotions will encourage us all to shine God's light in the darkest places of our lives and in our world. This principal miracle took place in the second century B.C. This year it began on Thursday December 10th, and continues until Friday December 18th. Instead, the High Priest slaughtered a Greek governor. ( crisderaud/rgbstock.com ) Hanukkah is the last feast in the Jewish calendar and tells a remarkable story of the deliverance of Israel from the control of the Syrians in 164 B.C. The miracle of Chanukah was that they lit the menorah with this oil for eight days—that the flame of selfless sacrifice blazed beyond a moment of truth, beyond a day of reckoning. A dreidel is a pointed, four-sided top which can be made to spin on its pointed base. God fought the battles for the Jews who fought with their faith. Join Benny and Zaidy for the thrilling adventure of the Chanukah story! A young woman called Judith requested a meeting with Nebuchadnezzar's top General, the Assyrian Holofernes, who was directing the siege outside the town walls. But a miracle happened and the oil lasted for eight days. The Jews decided to light the menorah anyway, and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, long enough for more olive oil to arrive. Will Christians and Israel be next? The Jews decided to light the menorah anyway, and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, long enough for more olive oil to arrive. Go back to a time of danger, drama and triumph! The Jewish people’s faith and hope in spite of the darkness that surrounded … We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Festival Of Lights Banks On The Miracle Of Zoom This Year ... “Hanukkah is a festival celebrating light and the kindling of light at the darkest time of the year," said Rabbi David Weiner. While this miracle of Hanukkah is directly connected to light, the celebration of light goes beyond remembering these events of the past. The ideals of the Greeks encouraged immorality, idolatry, and selfishness. Hanukkah serves as a reminder to us that the God of Israel is the God of miracles. The Greeks worshiped the physical body. The uprising spanned three years until the Maccabees gained control of Jerusalem. Hanukkah means "dedication" and recalls both the rededication of the Temple and the devoted dedication of the Jewish fighters. Dreidels are normally made of plastic or wood and there is a Hebrew letter embossed or printed on each of the dreidel's four sides. The Miracle of Chanukah. Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival also known as the Festival of Lights, sees Jews around the world light one candle on a nine-branched menorah - or 'hanukiah candelabrum' - each day. Each influenced the other. Click here to purchase the complete 60 minute DVD. 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Big tech silences Trump, stones Parler. Unlike many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah (also known as the Festival of Lights) is not mentioned in the Bible. Many fans of popular culture previously unfamiliar with the festival first became aware of Hanukkah after an episode of the popular sitcom Friends aired in December 2000. These are said to derive from a yeast dough pastry mentioned in the Talmud. Miracle of the cruse of oil is an Aggadah depicted in the Babylonian Talmud as one of the reasons for Hanukkah. The Greeks believed that they were the enlightened ones, and maintained that the Jews who followed the Bible were stuck in irrelevant rituals of the past. In the western calendar, Hanukkah is celebrated in November or December. Jews celebrate their victory over a tyrant king and the rededication of the Temple in … It contained but enough oil to light … The Greeks believed that beauty was holy. The miracle of Hanukkah came when it was time to light the Temple lampstand, called the menorah. She entered the Holefernes camp and seduced him, fed him salty cheeses so that he would become thirsty and served him wine so he would fall asleep. The story of the miracle, as described in the Talmud, occurred after the liberation of the Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt, and describes how the finding of a jug of pure oil that was to be enough to light the lamp for one day; instead, it lasted for eight days. When is Hanukkah, and how is the Jewish holiday celebrated each year? Hanukkah (or Chanukah) is an annual eight-day holiday known as the Festival of Lights. It is that miracle that is normally invoked as explanation for the eight days of the festival and the eight candles of the Hanukkah menorah. Light and darkness are symbolic of the entire Hanukkah story and serve as the basis for the eternal lessons that can be learned from this rich holiday. King Antiochus had taken over the Second Temple in Jerusalem and soon after ordered an altar to Zeus to be erected. Overcoming the powerful Greek army and rejecting the Hellenistic life, a small band of Jews fought to keep our traditions and culture alive; and yes, we are still here! ‘The Miracle of Lights’ Hanukkah observed Dec. 10-18 Ollie Friedberg, 6, lights the first candle of a Hanukkah with the Shamash, the attendant candle used to … In Judaism, the lights of Hanukkah are like divine sparks that with every kindling help bring light into our thoughts and our hearts. Join over 250,000 others to get the top stories curated daily, plus special offers! After reciting the blessings, Jews use the shamash to light the first candle. The Hanukkah lampstand, called a hanukkiah, is different from a menorah in that it has eight lights with one servant light to remember the Hanukkah miracle, instead of six lights with one servant light. Judaism's central text the Talmud, dictates only pure olive oil with the seal of the high priest can be used for the Hanukiah. Please click here to learn how. The holiday begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the ninth month of the ecclesiastical year on the Hebrew calendar. A new candle is lit for each night of Hanukkah using … By the eighth night of Hanukkah, all eight lights are kindled. The letter “H” makes the closest sound, so both names work and can be used. The Miracle of the Oil in the Hanukkah Story . This was a battle between good and evil, darkness and light. Chanukah was a miraculous military victory, but a tiny cruse of oil proved more miraculous and enduring in the memory of the Jewish people. It commemorates events that occurred during a dark period for the nation of Israel, yet God brought about salvation for His people and a miracle of light. Not so during COVID, but we create that feeling virtually, as we also light the candles from afar. 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