Next Week the Hanukkah Light Shines Bright by Jeff Hagel

Looking at the calendar and seeing that Sunday is Dec. 6 brings to mind that special seasonal observance that took place in our home this time of year because I was raised in a Catholic family — St. Nickolas Day.

On the eve of St. Nickolas Day the five Hage kids, Jeff, Amy, Mike, Sally and Franny, would put out their shoes in hope that St. Nickolas would fill them with treats.

When we would awake on St. Nickolas Day we could always count on finding treats in our shoes and rocks in my Dad’s shoes. Always. It appeared that St. Nickolas perceived Dad as being bad for yet another year.

All across the world people of different religions celebrate a variety of special events this time of year. One of those, Hanukkah, begins next Saturday, Dec. 12, and will be celebrated in almost every corner of the world during the next eight days–yet I find myself knowing very little about this Jewish holiday.

So I went searching for the story of Hanukkah. This is what I found.

Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Hanukkah, known otherwise as the Festival of Lights.

Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, December 12 on the western calendar this year. The holiday celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel.

Long, long ago in a galaxy far, far away… WHOOPS! Wrong story!

Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God, their religion, their customs and their beeustoms and their beliefs to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judas Maccabeus.

Judas and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word “Maccabee,” which means hammer. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem.

The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and remove the hated Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple was rededicated.

When Judas and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the N’er Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never be extinguished.

Only a tiny jug of oil was found in the temple with oil that would last only a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for eight days.

Jews celebrate Hanukkah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Hanukkah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil.

The word Hanukkah means “rededication” In America, families celebrate Hanukkah at home. They give and receive gifts, decorate the house, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday Menorah.

The Hanukkah Menorah is called a HANUKIYAH. It has nine candleholders. There are eight candles, one for each night of Hanukkah. The ninth is called the SHAMASH.

The Shamash is lit first and then is used to light the other candles. The candles are placed in the HANUKIYAH from right to left. But when the candles are lit, you light from left to right. This year the first Hanukkah candle will be lit at sunset next Friday night, Dec. 11.

In researching the story of Hanukkah I stumbled upon the Children’s Hanukkah Candle Lighting Song which Malvine P. Hoenig wrote in 1955 for her three children. She wanted words that would be easier to understand than the Hebrew or the English translation. It has become a tradition in families that have heard it.

Let’s be happy, let uss cheer,

Hanukkah again is here.

All the lights are shining bright,

Isn’t it a lovely sight?

You know these lights remind us

Of the time long, long ago,

When God caused one, tiny light

for eight long days to shine so bright.”

Source: Fergus Falls Journal