[ad_1]
Hanukkah, an eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights, is celebrated every year beginning from the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.
The festival, which usually falls between late November to late December depending on the Hebrew calendar, is happening from Dec. 18 to 26 this year.
The following are some interesting facts about Hanukkah: (Courtesy: Britannica, The Old Farmer’s Almanac and Town & Country)
- Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew word “Chanukah,” which means “inauguration” or “dedication.”
- It is a festival that celebrates the victory of Maccabees, a group of rebel Jews, in reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem from the Greek-Syrians. Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple and the altar after it got destroyed in the rebellion.
- After the temple in Jerusalem was rededicated, the Jews had to light a holy light to burn at all times. However, it is believed that although they had only enough oil for one night, the oil burned miraculously for eight days.
- Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights, as lighting candles on a menorah, a multi-branched candelabra, is the most important custom during the celebration.
- Each night after sunset throughout the festival, a candle is lit on a candelabra with eight branches until all candles are burning on the last evening.
Now here are seven quotes about Hanukkah: (Courtesy: Rebekah Lowin)
- “At this time of year, when the sun is most hidden, the holiday of Hanukkah celebrates the rays of hope and light. Often, it is through simple and unrecognized miracles that we are able to feel the warmth of hope and light.” – Rafael Goldstein
- “The lights of the Hanukkah menorah that we kindle in our homes are a reminder both of the Menorah in the Temple in Jerusalem and the light that shines brightly within each one of us. For as it says in Proverbs 20:27: The candle of G-d is the soul of man.” – Libi Astaire
- “The proper response, as Hanukkah teaches, is not to curse the darkness but to light a candle.” – Irving Greenberg
- “Just as Hanukkah candles are lighted one by one from a single flame, so the tale of the miracle is passed from one man to another, from one house to another, and the whole House of Israel throughout the generations.” – Judah Leon Magnes
- “Hanukkah is about the spark of the divine in all of us made in G-d’s image.” – Suzanne Fields
- “On Hanukkah, some people ask: Why couldn’t we light all eight candles in one night instead of having to light a new one for each of the eight nights? It is because Hanukkah is not merely a cause for celebrations; it is a trial of perseverance.” – Simon Nguyen
- “The spirit of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, is shared by all people who love freedom.” – Norma Simon
Related Articles
[ad_2]
Source link
