Happy Hannukah :)

[Gauracandra]

I just wanted to wish any of our Jewish friends reading here a happy and spiritually rewarding Hannukah

 

Gauracandra

[Gauracandra]

What is Chanukah?

 

A. Chanukah (pronounced KHAH-noo-kah) means "dedication." It is an eight-day holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple after a period of enemy occupation.

 

B. Contrary to the universally accepted public version, Chanukah is neither to be spelled nor pronounced "Hanukkah." It’s Chanukah--you know, with the guttural "yuch" sound that the English language doesn't have. And besides, why two "k"s?

 

C. OK, the Chanukah story. It is 223 BCE and the Seleucid Dynasty rules parts of the Middle East, including ancient Israel. King Antiochus III is good for the Jews except for his huge taxes and cultivation of Hellenist culture. He dies. Son Seleucus IV takes over, increases taxation. Hellenistic cultural invasion of Jewish society reaches epidemic proportions--monotheistic Judaism out, humanistic Hellenism in. Seleucus gets iced in 174 BCE, brother Antiochus IV takes throne, forcefully attempts to rub out Judaism--forbids Shabbat, kashrut, circumcision et al on pain of death. Mass persecution/execution of Jews begins around 170 BCE. 140 BCE sees riot erupt in quaint little village Modi'in: local Jews led by elder Mattityahu and sons defend daughter/sister from pre-marriage initiation, kill Antiochus' soldiers, head for the hills. News spreads, Jewish rebel army quickly forms across country and wages increasingly successful guerilla warfare for a year. On or around December 14, 140 BCE (the 25th of Kislev, 3622) Jewish army restores regular Temple operations with limited resources, lights makeshift menorah with one-day supply of olive oil, and Siegfried-and-Roy! Oil burns for eight days until fresh fuel arrives, and the shine of spirituality melts the senselessness of Hellenism, then and for all time. In 139 BCE, the Rabbis designate those eight days as an annual holiday celebrating the chanukah, or dedication, of the Temple and the miracle of the menorah.

 

How do I celebrate Chanukah?

 

1. Make Light of Matter

The primary observance of Chanukah, the one we’re all familiar with, is the eight-branched candelabrum known to the world as the Menorah, which is lit each Chanukah night, ideally on your front windowsill, to light up the world. Get yours free at virtualchanukah.com, or visit your local Judaica store. Light one candle the first night, two the second, and so on 'til the eighth.

 

2. Be Appreciative

The rabbis knew what they were doing when they established Chanukah as a holiday for posterity--its timeless lessons of spiritual identity and religious freedom are things to cherish and celebrate in every day and age, especially amidst the injustices of today. For this reason, we thank G-d each day of Chanukah by reciting Hallel -the prayer of praise- during morning services.

 

3. Get Fried, Go for a Spin

Pan-fried potato fritters known as latkes (pronounced LAHT-kess), which means pan-fried potato fritters in some language, are traditionally home-manufactured and consumed in large quantities over the Chanukah holiday. Olive oil is used to symbolize the Menorah's miraculous olive oil. Also, don't forget to play dreidel. The dreidel (pronounced DRAY-dul) is a small, four-sided, pointy-bottomed top with a Hebrew letter on each side, forming a Hebrew-language acronym for "[a] great miracle happened there." Dreidel games are reminiscent of the little games Jewish kids would whip out and play to hide their secret Torah classes under Seleucid domination.