11 Dec 2009

HAPPY HANUKKAH.


Today at sundown people of the Jewish faith celebrate the eight day Festival Of Lights known as Hanukkah or Chanukah.
Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate The Miracle Of The Oil. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means 'dedication'. Over 2000 years ago the Jews in Judea rebelled against their Syrian ruler (Antiochus) because he insisted that all Jewish people must worship Greek Gods. After three years of fighting, the Jews defeated Antiochus and, to celebrate, they restored The Temple Of Jerusalem - which had been taken over by the Syrians - and rededicated it to their God.
As part of the celebrations they lit an oil lamp which should have been kept burning all the time, even though they could only find enough oil to keep it burning for one night. But a miracle occurred, and the oil lamp stayed lit for eight days, which was the time it took to make new oil for the lamp. This was The Miracle Of The Oil.
It was then declared that every year, Jews would remember the day with an eight day Festival Of Lights and celebrate the miracle of the oil by placing eight candles in a MENORAH which is placed in a prominent window or near the front door. Lighting one candle (though electric lights are sometimes used if an open flame is thought to be dangerous) for each evening of the celebration reminding those passing by about the holiday's miracle.
During Hanukkah, people also exchange gifts and give to the poor and needy with food playing an important role for, like most other Jewish festivals, this one comes with it's own FOOD TRADITIONS AND RECIPES.
PETTY WITTER SAYS: Of course there are many sites looking at Hanukkah, here are the links to a few of my favourites.
* A site dedicated to Hanukkah POETRY.
* TORAH TOTS which explains everything in an easy way whilst playing rather enchanting music.

12 comments:

Revd. Neal Terry said...

Torah Tots is brilliant!

Tina said...

Thanks for this explanation, Petty. Sorry I've been a bit absent. There was a death in the family this week. Thank you for your concern. Tina XX

Betty Manousos said...

Peety, thanks for the info about the Jewish Tradition.And i also thank you for your kind comments.
Have a great weekend.
hugs hugs

Felicity Grace Terry said...

So sorry to hear of this Tina, my thoughts are with you.

chitra said...

I liked this information about the 8 day festival. We had a lot of friends Jewish friends in my home town but one by one they all left for Israel. The beautiful synagogue in my place is the first they built in Asia and I would get some pictures of the same on my next visit.
Thanx Petty witter. It brought back some good memories.

Nina said...

Great to learn more about the tradition!

Happy Hannukkah to the jewish peopz. :)

plainolebob said...

Petty, wow thanks for the info

The1stdaughter said...

Thanks so much for all this wonderful info. I love living in a more diverse part of the country now so that I can take part in more of the many wonderful traditions and beliefs others have. It's one of the things I missed from before I was married and was actually a nanny for a Jewish couple. I was able to "celebrate" Hanukkah with them and it's one of my fondest memories of that time in my life. Thanks again!

PS...maybe I'm a dork, but I can't find your email to email you the info about my feature. Would you send me an email when you get a chance so I can forward it to you? Mine is the1stdaughter at gmail dot com.

Trac~ said...

Love the Jewish and Christmas posts! Thanks for stopping by my blog (thru Cut and Dry) today and leaving the love! Coming to give love back to you on your blog too! Hugs! :o)

Alyce said...

What a nice holiday post! Our band is playing a Hanukkah medley of songs in our holiday concert tomorrow, and I love the arrangement.

Kelly said...

Very interesting! I enjoy your "lessons".

Felicity Grace Terry said...

Welcome to plainolebob, The1stdaughter and Trac - it was good to 'meet' you all.