In 2008, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, begins at sundown on December 21 and ends at sundown on December 29. The festival, which goes on for eight nights total, begins nightly with the lighting of the menorah and the recitation of the Hanukkah blessings.
History of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the celebration of the reclaiming of the Jewish temple after Greek soldiers seized it and dedicated it to their god Zeus. The Jewish people feared the soldiers, and wished not to make more trouble for themselves, so many of them began to go along with the soldiers' orders. Upon seeing his people defile the Torah and God's holy word, a furious old man struck down another man preparing to offer a sacrifice to Zeus. The old man's sons, the Maccabees, roused a small band of followers and stormed the temple.
The Maccabees went inside the temple and found many of the relics there had been damaged or stolen. They wanted to light the menorah in honor of the Sabbath, but discovered that there was only enough oil to last one night. To their surprise, the oil instead lasted for eight nights, which allowed time for them to find more oil. This miracle began the early tradition of celebrating Hanukkah.History.com: The History of Hanukkah
References
Fast Facts
-
Fact:
On the Jewish calendar, Hanukkah begins on 25 Kislev
-
Fact:
The Hebrew word for Chanukah means dedicationAish.com: What is Chanukah
-
Fact:
Three blessings, also called brachos, are spoken while lighting the menorah each night123Holiday.net: Hanukkah Blessings
-
Fact:
Traditionally the menorah is lit outside, or in a window where it can be seen from outsideHebrew for Christians: Chanukah Blessings
