Happy Hanukah!

Jewish Holiday Calendar – Hebrew Year 5766

WHY IS HANUKAH CELEBRATED?

Hanukah, the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating a miracle from back in the times when the Maccabees had won a victory over the Syrians, who were oppressing the Hebrews.

After their victory over the Syrians, the Maccabees wished to re-dedicate the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But they found they had only enough oil to light the lamps of the temple for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights. Long enough for new oil to be properly prepared.

WHEN IS HANUKAH?

It varies in time on the Western calendar. Generally it falls in December but is sometimes in late November. Hanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the day the Maccabbees re-dedicated the temple over 2000 years ago.

HOW IS HANUKAH CELBRATED?

At nightfall one candle is added each night, starting from the right and going to the left. Then the candles are lit from the newest one on the left and then one by one to the right.The ninth candle, the Shamash, is used for lighting the other candles and is usually set a little apart from the others in the middle of the Menorah – Happy Hanukah!

One of the bloggers just sent this funny Hanukah link:

http://www.americancomedynetwork.com/FLASH/my_menorah.htm