Hanukkah (Day 7) in Israel ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Hanukkah (Day 7) in Israel and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. The holiday is observed by lighting candles each night of Hanukkah, eating fried foods and playing dreidel.
On the 25th of Kislev, the month in which Hanukkah falls, Jews around the world begin the eight-day celebration of Hanukkah. The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.
The holiday is observed by lighting candles each night of Hanukkah, eating fried foods and playing dreidel. The word Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew verb “חנך”, meaning “to dedicate.”
The story of Hanukkah begins with the Syrian-Greek ruler, Antiochus IV, who invaded Judea in 168 B.C.E. and began a campaign to force the Jews to assimilate into Greek culture. Among other things, Antiochus banned the practice of Judaism and ordered the destruction of the Holy Temple.
In response, a group of Jews led by Judah Maccabee revolted against the Syrians and regained control of Jerusalem. They then rededicated the Holy Temple.
The holiday of Hanukkah celebrates this event. Each night of Hanukkah, a candle is lit in memory of the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Holy Temple. According to legend, when the Maccabees went to light the Temple’s menorah (candelabra), they found only enough oil to burn for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, until more could be procured.
In addition to lighting candles, Hanukkah is also a time for eating fried foods. This is because oil is a symbol of the holiday. Foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts) are traditionally eaten on Hanukkah.
Finally, Hanukkah is also a time for playing dreidel. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side. The letters stand for the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” which means “a great miracle happened there.”
Players take turns spinning the dreidel and performing the action associated with the letter that lands face up. If the player spins an נ (nun), they do nothing. If the player spins a ג (gimel), they get the entire pot. If the player spins a ה (hei), they get half the pot. And if the player spins a ש (shin), they put one piece into the pot.
The game is traditionally played with coins or chocolate coins, but any type of small objects can be used. The object of the game is to have the most pieces at the end.
Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that is celebrated by Jews around the world. It is a time for family, friends, and community.