No we are not Jewish, but my son, Tyler, has brought to our attention that that this holiday is also part of this season. So tonight for the first time in the Lubinus household we lite candles on a menorah. For those of you not familiar with thi s tradition here is a little background.
Hannakah - Hannakah history began over 2,000 years ago when the Syrian-Greek leader, Antiochus IV, attempted to force the Jews in Israel to assimilate completely and to renounce their religion and culture. Judah Maccabee led the revolt against the Syrian-Greek army and was victorious, despite the fact that the Jewish army was greatly outnumbered.
The Hannakah celebration of lighting the menorah traces its origin to a miracle that occurred after the victory of the Maccabees. The Temple in Jerusalem had been defiled by the invading Syrian-Greek army. It was traditional to light a special lamp in the Temple, called a menorah, with olive oil, but all of the vials of oil were made impure, with the exception of one. According to Hannakah history, the one vial of oil burned for eight days until pure oil could be obtained for the holy Temple. In gratitude, the Jews began lighting small menorahs in their homes to commemorate this miracle.
The Hannakah celebration began in the years following the victory, and was observed by lighting a menorah with eight branches (to symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days) and a ninth holder for a shamash, or "servant" candle that is meant to light the others. The Hannakah celebration is focused on the home, although nowadays there are many large menorahs lit in public areas. The reason for these public Hannakah celebrations is to publicize the miracle.
While the candles are burning, the family traditionally sings Hannakah songs such as Mao Tzur, Haneiros Hololu or "I Have a LittleDreidel.
The Hannakah celebration of lighting the menorah traces its origin to a miracle that occurred after the victory of the Maccabees. The Temple in Jerusalem had been defiled by the invading Syrian-Greek army. It was traditional to light a special lamp in the Temple, called a menorah, with olive oil, but all of the vials of oil were made impure, with the exception of one. According to Hannakah history, the one vial of oil burned for eight days until pure oil could be obtained for the holy Temple. In gratitude, the Jews began lighting small menorahs in their homes to commemorate this miracle.
The Hannakah celebration began in the years following the victory, and was observed by lighting a menorah with eight branches (to symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days) and a ninth holder for a shamash, or "servant" candle that is meant to light the others. The Hannakah celebration is focused on the home, although nowadays there are many large menorahs lit in public areas. The reason for these public Hannakah celebrations is to publicize the miracle.
While the candles are burning, the family traditionally sings Hannakah songs such as Mao Tzur, Haneiros Hololu or "I Have a LittleDreidel.
For more information consider reading 1 and 2 Maccabees.
We did not sing songs, but did say this as a family - "Blessed are you, LORD, our God, King of the universe, who performed miracles for our ancestors in those days at this time."
We left them burning for 30 minutes and got into a very interesting salvation discussion that will continue tomorrow night, with 3 candles. Its not too often that you can engage your son in a 30 minute discussion on salvation and religion, I will not miss out on these opportunities.
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