What is Hanukkah?

Shalom,

Hanukkah/Chanukkah is an eight day “minor” holiday in the Biblical/Jewish Calendar commemorating the re-dedication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Israel in 165 BCE.  Literally on the 25th of the month of Kislev, the Maccabees (Jewish priestly soldiers) fighting the attacking Seleucid Syrians won the war and “rested”.  In Hebrew “hanu” means “they camped” or “they rested”  and “kha” means “twenty-five.”    The two words (Hanukkah) together- mean “Dedication.”  It is a “minor” holiday because although not a God-commanded holiday, it is a God-centered holiday. The first believers would have continued celebrating this yearly event.

Immediately after the Maccabean victory, the Jewish people began the huge work of cleaning and purifying the Temple in Jerusalem.  The large seven-branched menorah in the Temple needed a specially prepared oil but only one container (enough for one day) could be found.  Even though it would take several days to prepare the special oil, the Temple Menorah was lit and legend says that one container of oil burned for all eight days of the Temple Dedication (Hanukkah). 

Mention of this Eight Day Miracle of Oil first appears in the Scroll of Antiochus, considered to have been written around 100 CE, about thirty years after the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple.  The earliest written sources, Books 1 & 2 of Maccabees, written within a hundred years of 165 BCE do not make any mention of this eight day occurrence.  It is just as likely the eight days are because of a delayed celebration of the eight day holiday of Sukkot.

When the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed in 70 CE by the Romans, the lighting ceremonies of Hanukkah were codified and written in the Talmud (Jewish Scripture Commentary) by rabbis so future generations would celebrate the Rededication of the Temple and understand the importance of Hanukkah.

The main symbol of Hannukah is the 9-branched menorah called a “Hanukkiah.” One of the 9 branches is set apart in a unique way and is called the “Shamesh” or “Servant.”  Each night the Shamesh is lit and is then used to light the required number of lights.  On the first night, 2 candles are lit (the Shamash & the first night candle).  On the second night 3 candles are lit (the Shamash & 2 candles for the second night).  So you don’t have to do the math, there are a total of 44 candles required to get through Hanukkah!  On the last night of Hanukkah all 9 branches are lit. So there are now 10 lit candles.

Holy Land Gifts offers boxes of 44 candles in two heights, 4” candles and 5” candles.  These candles fit most HANUKKIAHS.  Candles can be a multitude of colors.  Holy Land Gifts chose blue and white candles to honor the flag of Israel.  Hannukiahs come in every shape and size and are limited only by imagination.  Many families have one hannukiah for each family member. Holy Land Gifts has many unique 9 branched hannukiahs like the Etched Glass Menorah.   Both the Pewter Star of David and Celebration Menorah are beautiful for Hanukkah as well as “conversation starters” in your home.  Beautiful gifts for anyone, INCLUDING YOU!