Every year in the Jewish world from the 25th Kislev to the 2nd-3rd Tevet there is a big holiday - Hanukkah. What is the “sanctification” and “renewal” that gave the name to this tradition? What does the custom of lighting candles, a tasty treat and a celebration lasting eight days symbolize? Let's try to figure it out.
What does Hanukkah mean?
The word "Hanukkah" in Hebrew consists of two parts. The first, "khan," literally means "they have reached rest." The second, “ka,” is a combination of letters, the numerical value of which is twenty-five. It correlates with the military and spiritual victory of the Jews over the Greeks, which happened on the 25th of the month of Kislev (according to the Jewish calendar) in 164 BC.
The name of the holiday "Hanukkah" is a derivative of the word "lahanot" meaning "consecration" ("sanctification"). On this day the altar was re-consecrated in the Jerusalem temple, which exactly 3 years before this day was desecrated by idolaters. Today, Hanukkah is also called the "Festival of Lights."
Hanukkah holiday story
Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated for eight days. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev, which usually falls on November or December. The event, which begins with the history of the Hanukkah festival, occurred during the time of Alexander the Great (Macedonian), when the territory of present-day Israel was part of Syria, which, in turn, was a province of the Greek Empire. For a long time, Jews and Greeks found a common language. Law-abiding Jews obeyed the rules established by the conquerors, and the successors of Macedon were quite tolerant of other faiths. However, everything changed when Antiochus IV Epiphanus appeared on the Syrian throne.
With fire and sword, he tried to impose the Hellenic religion on the peoples subject to them. Under pain of death, Jews were forbidden to circumcise, study the Torah, and abide by the laws of Shabbat. In the temple of Jerusalem, at the behest of the king, an altar of Zeus, the chief of the gods of the Hellenistic pantheon, was built.
As a result, a revolt broke out in Modin, a small settlement near Jerusalem. He was led by one of the elders of the settlement, the Jew Mattiyagu, and after his death, which happened a year later, the rebels continued to be led by his son, Judah Maccabee.
In total, the struggle of the Jews for liberation from Syrian oppression lasted twenty-five years. However, just three years after the uprising began, Maccabee managed to liberate Jerusalem. First of all, the winners began to put in order the desecrated temple. Idols were thrown out, the broken altar was restored, and instead of the golden menorah (temple lamp), which was stolen, they temporarily put the usual iron one.
However, when it came time to light a menorah in front of the altar, it turned out that all the oil in the temple was desecrated. Only the only tiny jug that would be enough for only one day of burning remained pure. And it would take eight days to make a new oil ...
Still, the menorah was lit. When this happened, a miracle happened: the light inexplicably burned exactly eight days! The temple was consecrated anew. And now, in honor of this event, Hanukkah is celebrated every year.
What is Hanukkah
Now that we have become aware of the historical meaning of Hanukkah, what is "Hanukkah" will also be easy to guess. This is the name of the traditional stand for Hanukkah candles, symbolizing fortitude and the victory of good over evil.
Hanukkah is formed by eight lamps. They symbolize the miracle that occurred during the victory of Maccabees over the Greeks. In ancient times, it was instituted to hang it on the street, to the left of the front door. However, later, due to the danger of fires, Hanukkah was ordered to light inside the houses, placing it on the windowsill - so that the candlelight reminded the neighbors and casual passers-by about what the holiday of Hanukkah is.
These lamps are made of any material: tin, marble, brass, porcelain, iron. Those who are richer can afford Hanukkah made of gold or silver. Their sizes can also be different: from the very impressive ones, which on the first day of Hanukkah are usually lit at government buildings, to the modest and small, which, as a rule, burn these days in all Jewish houses.
The order of ignition of lights
In accordance with the most widespread custom, the procedure for lighting holiday candles these days has its own strict regulations.
On the very first night, the outermost candle on the right is usually lit. On the second night, another candle is added to the stand, to the left of the one that was placed yesterday. First light a new, added candle, then move to the right. This order is repeated every night: first one candle is added, then everything is lit one by one, starting from it, from left to right.
How to light a candle
You should also know in line with the traditions of the Hanukkah festival, what is “shamash”. This is a special service candle, which is either separated from the remaining eight candles or located above them. From the shamash every evening all the main candles are lit, which are located on the same level and at a short distance from each other.
According to tradition, the light of these eight candles should serve solely as a reminder of the miracle that began the history of Hanukkah. It must not be used for any other purpose. Therefore, these candles should be lit precisely from the shamash, and not one from the other.
Hanukkah: tradition of lighting lights
Hanukkah candles should be lit in the house where they constantly live, and in that room where they usually eat. The lamp (Hanukkah) is installed in a prominent place in the room.
Hanukkah lamps begin to light, usually in the evening after sunset (according to other sources, after the first stars appear in the sky). If for some reason it was not possible to do it at this time, it is permitted to light the lights and say the words of blessing until all members of the family are awake. Anyone who did not have time to do this before dawn should no longer light the lights that day.
On the last holiday evening, all eight candles are lit. As a rule, they are supposed to burn for half an hour after the appearance of stars. Thus, in those houses where candles were lit right after the sun went down, they will shine for at least fifty minutes.
During the time when it is supposed to light the Hanukkah lights, it is forbidden to eat, drink or do anything.
It is not accepted that women light candles - they are only present when their husband or father lights them and answer "Amen!" in response to the words of blessing he utters.
Boys begin to be introduced to the mystery of lighting Hanukkah lights, as a rule, from the time when they become able to light a candle on their own and utter a blessing.
Traditional Hanukkah Treats
A plentiful treat accompanied by traditional songs and stories about miracles performed by the Almighty for those ancestors in those days is what Hanukkah is. For Jews, this holiday is considered to be cheerful and joyful, therefore these days it is forbidden to fast or mourn the dead.
In the days of Hanukkah, it is necessary to cook traditional dishes. These are latkes - potato pancakes, as well as sweet donuts with jam or jam (sufgania). The method of their preparation - frying in vegetable oil - is also intended to recall the miracle on which the history of Hanukkah is based.
In addition, these days they eat dairy dishes - primarily those made from cheese. Sour cream is most often used as a sauce.
Hanukkah Customs
In recent decades, more and more people around the world have learned what Hanukkah is. Jews have a tradition of lighting huge Chanukahs in city squares, and tourists who visited Israel on the days when this holiday is celebrated, have the opportunity to also join the ancient customs.
Interestingly, in the days of Hanukkah it is not forbidden to work. However, women, following an ancient custom, as a rule, do not work while festive lamps are lit.
During all eight days of the holiday, special prayers of thanks are to be inserted into each of the prayers, and during the morning prayer, excerpts from the Torah are read aloud.
In the days of Hanukkah, Israeli schools begin their holidays. According to tradition, on the night of the fourth or fifth day of the holiday, parents often give their children toys or money, which they can spend on their own. However, some of these funds are supposed to be donated to charity.
Spinning top game
There is another curious custom that Hanukkah is famous for. What a Dreidl, or Svivon, must be, every Jewish child knows. This is a special tetrahedral top, which is customary to play these days. They play this game, as a rule, on small coins from "Hanukkah money", as well as on sweets, apples or nuts.
In Israel, on each side of this top, one letter is written in Hebrew: "nun" (meaning "carried" - "miracle"), "gimmel" ("gadol" - "great"), "hei" ("haya" - " was ") and" drink "(" by "-" here "). On tops, which are played by the children of the Jewish diaspora, the last letter is replaced by "shin", which means "sham" - "there", that is, on Israeli land.
According to legend, in those days when the teaching of the Torah threatened with death, Jewish children came to classes with such tops, and in the event of the appearance of spies or enemies, they began to play with enthusiasm, as if for this reason they had gathered here. Today, this game has remained just a fascinating contest, which at the same time serves as a reminder of the past, as well as many other customs of the Jewish people.