Public Library Of Youngstown & Mahoning County: Hanukkah Sameach! (Happy Hanukkah!)

Press release from the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County:

Kelly

November 29th, 2021

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival, beginning on the eve of the 25th of Kislev (a month on the Hebrew calendar which usually coincides with the month of December) and celebrated for eight days.  This year, Hanukkah begins at sundown on Sunday, November 28 and concludes at sundown Monday, December 6, 2021.  As it coincides with the winter holiday season, Hanukkah is likely the most well-known Jewish religious observance in America.  Hanukkah is also known as: Chanukah or Chanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, the Festival of Lights, and the Feast of the Maccabees.

History

In the 2nd Century B.C.E., King Antiochus (of the Syrian Kingdom) invaded the Jewish homeland of Judea.  Antiochus oppressed the Jewish people; he prohibited Jewish religious practices and rites, required all subjects to worship Greek gods rather than the Lord Yahweh, and he polluted and desecrated the Second Holy Temple in Jerusalem by erecting a statue of Zeus and an idol in his own image.

A Jewish revolt rose up, defending their religious beliefs at the risk of their lives.  A small band of pious Jews, led by Matthias and Judas Maccabeus, led guerrilla-style warfare against the Syrian-Greek Army for three years, and despite the great numbers against them, won the war and drove the foreigners out of their land.

Following their victory, the Jewish community worked to rebuild, cleanse and restore the Holy Temple.  After much purification, a new alter was reinstated and dedicated on Kislev 25.  This process of rebuilding and making the Temple fit for worship is the “dedication,” or “Hanukkah” in Hebrew.

Once the Temple was ready, the sacred lamp (or “menorah”) was lit.  There only appeared to be enough sacred oil to keep it illuminated for one day, and yet, the small amount of oil miraculously burned for eight days and nights (which was the exact amount of time it takes to produce more consecrated oil).

Thus, Hanukkah is a celebration commemorating the victory of the Maccabees (and Jewish people as a whole) over oppressors, the rededication of the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem to the Lord, and the subsequent miracle of illuminating the menorah for eight days with a tiny amount of oil.

Customs

Traditional customs during Hanukkah includes lighting the menorah (also called the hanukkiah lamp), which symbolizes the Temple lampstand.  The menorah is a candelabra with nine branches, and can be simple or elaborately decorated.  The menorah traditionally used olive oil; today, the menorah typically uses candles.  Each evening of Hanukkah, a candle is inserted in the menorah, each night from right to left; the candles are lit from left to right.  A blessing is offered when the candles are lit.

Other traditions include a daily reading of scripture (including public readings of the Torah), a liturgy including Hallel, recitation of Psalms, almsgiving, singing of special hymns, and the al ha-nissim (“for the miracles”) prayer.  Thanks are offered to God for delivering the strong into the hands of the weak, and evil into the hands of the good.  Some synagogues and homes read the Scroll of Antiochus, an early medieval account of Hanukkah.  Rabbis and Jewish educators instill that the holiday celebrates Jewish strengths, perseverance, and continuity; reaffirming the ideals of Judaism.

In Israel

In Israel, Hanukkah is a national holiday.  Schools and other organizations close, and menorahs are placed on display in prominent buildings (like the Knesset, or Israeli parliament).  Students present plays, sing songs, and have parties.

Citizens participate in an annual relay from Modi’in to Jerusalem.  Runners carry torches through the streets until the final torchbearer arrives at the Western Wall (also known as Ha-Kotel Ha-Ma’aravi), the last remnant of the Temple, who then hands the torch to the chief rabbi, who lights the first candle of the giant menorah.

Traditions

Besides the lighting of the menorah and reading of Torah and offering thanks to God, many other delightful traditions are done for the Hanukkah holiday.

Festive meals are prepared, including many foods deep-fried in oil (which also symbolizes the oil from the menorah).  Some of the most popular food include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (donuts), or kugel.  Learn how to make your own Latkes or Kugels with these recipes!

Games are played; card playing is common, as is playing with the four-sided top, known as a “dreidel.”  Read more about the Dreidel, and how you can make your own!

People like to decorate their homes, and exchange gifts and money, especially to the children.  Chocolate coins wrapped in gold foil is a classic choice.

And of course, singing is an enjoyable holiday experience!  Some songs include: “Ma’oz Tzur,” “Oh Chanukah,” “The Driedel Song,” “Sevivon,” and the modern classic (and perhaps most mainstream), Adam Sandler’s “The Chanukah Song” (contains some adult themes).

For More Information about Hanukkah:

Encyclopaedia Britannica: Hanukkah

My Jewish Learning: Hanukkah 2021

Materials on Hanukkah available from the library catalog

Kelly

Kelly is a librarian at the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County. As the Adult Programming Specialist, her focus is bringing adults the library programs they love.  (Kids can’t have ALL the fun!).  She reads strictly nonfiction and picture books.  She believes that anything you could ever need or want is located somewhere in the library.  Including friends.

This press release was produced by the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County. The views expressed here are the author’s own.