Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates a miracle in Jewish history that is also significant for Messianic Jews and Christians. Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Temple by the Jews in 164 BC. Antiochus of Syria had invaded and conquered Jerusalem, killing many Jews and outlawing the Temple sacrifices and worship. He defiled the altar by sacrificing a pig on it and erected an altar to Zeus in the Temple.
Judah the Maccabee led a Jewish revolt and drove the Syrians from the country in 165 BC. When the Jews rededicated the Temple, they only had enough sacred oil to light the seven-branched menorah for one day. But miraculously, the menorah kept burning for eight days, until a new batch of oil was prepared. Therefore, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, this year from December 16th to 23rd.
The main ritual of the holiday is the lighting of the hanukiah (the eight-candle menorah), usually placed in a window to proclaim the great miracle. One candle is lit the first night and an additional candle every subsequent night. The eight days are marked by prayers of thanksgiving and hymns of praise.
Jews celebrate Hanukkah on each of the eight days with festive meals of traditional food, such as potato pancakes, or latkes, and jelly doughnuts. Gifts are exchanged nightly. In Israel, children receive Hanukkah gelt (money).
Religious Jews recite the hallel, psalms of praise celebrating God’s mighty acts on behalf of His chosen people Israel. The text, from Psalms 113 through 118, is recited in the morning service throughout the eight days of Hanukkah.
Judah the Maccabee led a Jewish revolt and drove the Syrians from the country in 165 BC. When the Jews rededicated the Temple, they only had enough sacred oil to light the seven-branched menorah for one day. But miraculously, the menorah kept burning for eight days, until a new batch of oil was prepared. Therefore, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, this year from December 16th to 23rd.
The main ritual of the holiday is the lighting of the hanukiah (the eight-candle menorah), usually placed in a window to proclaim the great miracle. One candle is lit the first night and an additional candle every subsequent night. The eight days are marked by prayers of thanksgiving and hymns of praise.
Jews celebrate Hanukkah on each of the eight days with festive meals of traditional food, such as potato pancakes, or latkes, and jelly doughnuts. Gifts are exchanged nightly. In Israel, children receive Hanukkah gelt (money).
Religious Jews recite the hallel, psalms of praise celebrating God’s mighty acts on behalf of His chosen people Israel. The text, from Psalms 113 through 118, is recited in the morning service throughout the eight days of Hanukkah.
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