Hanukah Celebrates A Miracle

Hanukah, the Hebrew word for "dedication" is a holiday named after the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and falls in December, on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev, lasting for eight days. The story of Hanukah is a story of miracles and good winning out over evil. In 168 BCE the Greek king Antiochus, ruler of Jerusalem tried to force a pagan religion on the Jews. He captured the temple, burned scriptures and holy books, and killed many scholars. A group of Jews known as the Maccabees, named after their leader, refused to give in to the king's soldiers and fought a long guerilla war from the mountains. When the Maccabees finally won the war and returned home, they vowed to cleanse the temple and rededicate it to God. They needed to reestablish the eternal light, but had only a small vessel of consecrated oil-not even enough to last for one day, and it would take eight days to make more oil. A miracle happened, however, and the oil lasted for the full eight days.

Hanukah celebrates this miracle, and the triumph of good over evil. Traditionally one candle is lit each day of Hanukah. A menorah holds the candles. The first candle being lit at sundown on the first day of Hanukah, which is different every year. Sundown of the previous evening is the traditional start of the Jewish day.

Although a minor holiday in Judaism, Hanukah has become Americanized. Hyman Lotkin, a member of Temple Israel in Springfield, Missouri, whose family came to America in 1912, and has himself been here since 1921, says Hanukah is different now than it was during his childhood in Russia. At that time it was more religious since in his village there was no extra money for gifts. "More like Fiddler on the Roof". The celebration at his Temple, he says, will include a program for the children, showing the true meaning of Hanukah, and a retelling of the story of the temple.

In Israel Hanukah isn't a time of gift giving, but a time of remembrance. A tradition popular in Israel with all ages though is the baking and eating of special sweet donuts, called sufganiyot. Israelis also tell traditional stories and say prayers, but the most noticeable sign of a Hanukah celebration will be the menorah lighting the family home's window.

Since Christmas is such a cultural as well as religious holiday in America, Hanukah has become larger here than it normally would in Judaism to add a cultural balance according to many. And it has become ingrained in the American culture, which was evident when Saturday Night Live added Hanukah Harry to it's cast to help out Santa Claus when he had the flu. Hanukah is a beautiful tradition that is much loved by many people, and will be celebrated for many years to come.