what is hanukkah
Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. [1]
Our rabbis taught the rule of Chanukkah:… on the first day one [candle] is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased… [because] we increase in sanctity but do not reduce. [...] Chanukkah, the Jewish festival of rededication, also known as the festival of lights, is an eight day festival beginning on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. [2]
Hanukkah is mentioned in the deuterocanonical or apocrypha books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees. [1]
Many non-Jews (and even many assimilated Jews!) think of this holiday as the Jewish Christmas, adopting many of the Christmas customs, such as elaborate gift-giving and decoration. [2]
The Gemara, in tractate Shabbat 21b focuses on Shabbat candles and moves to Hanukkah candles and says that after the forces of Antiochus IV had been driven from the Temple, the Maccabees discovered that almost all of the ritual olive oil had been profaned. [1]
On the 25th of Kislev are the days of Chanukkah, which are eight… these were appointed a Festival with Hallel [prayers of praise] and thanksgiving. [...] According to tradition as recorded in the Talmud, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. [2]
Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. [...] Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. [3]
According to the Talmud, at the re-dedication following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. [1]
Virtual Chanukah (Hanukkah) 2008 is a project of American Friends of Lubavitch, Ronald O. Perelman, Nat. [4]
Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes (pronounced “lot-kuhs” or “lot-keys” depending on where your grandmother comes from. [2]
(1 Mac.4:56-59)” According to 2 Maccabees, “the Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the feast of Booths.” [1]
It is bitterly ironic that this holiday, which has its roots in a revolution against assimilation and the suppression of Jewish religion, has become the most assimilated, secular holiday on our calendar. [2]
Sources:
[1] Hanukkah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah)
[2] Chanukkah - Judaism 101 (www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm)
[3] Chanukah on the Net - Welcome to a celebration of Chanukah, Hanukkah … (www.holidays.net/chanukah)
[4] Chanukah - Chabad.org (www.chabad.org/holidays/chanukah/