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The Story of Hanukah THE SYRIAN GREEK KING ANTIOCHUS Over two thousand years ago, Israel was part of the Greek Empire. Antiochus, the Syrian Greek King wanted all his people to look and act the same. Most of the people went along with that. Antiochus didn't want the Jews to be different. He wanted them to worship the Greek gods, not their own God. He didn't want the children to learn about the Jewish religion. Antiochus put a statue of the Greek God Zeus in the Jewish temple. He even put idols in all the temples in Israel. The people were ordered to sacrifice animals to the Greek gods. He ordered them to eat the meat of pigs, which was against their religious laws. Some of the Jews ran away because they were afraid, but others stayed becasue they were very afraid of the Syrians and the soldiers. They did just what they were told to do. One day the Syrians set up an idol in the city of Modiin, where an old Jewish priest and his five sons lived. One of the Jews that lived in the town started to make an animal sacrifice to the Greek idol. The old priest, named Mattityahu, killed the man. He then shouted for all to hear, "Whoever is for God, come after me!" THE MACCABEES Thousands of Jews went to Modiin to fight the Syrians. Judah the Maccabee, who got his name because he was so strong - Maccabee means hammer- was a son of Mattityahu. Judah led teh Jewish army against the Syrians. Even though they had less men and very few weapons, they were victorius and chased the Greeks out of Israel. After their victory, Judah ordered the re-dedication of the Temple. They lit the eternal light, but Judah saw that their was only a very little of the oil to burn - only enough for one day. A messenger was sent to get more oil. The light in the temple stayed lit until the messenger returned - eight days later. THE MENORRHA While waiting for the messengers return, the people found that it saved oil if they lit one wick from another, rather than start a new fire. This is how the menorrha started. Thus was born the celebration of the Festival of Lights, which celebrates the Macabees victory and also the Miracle of the oil lasting for eight days. This story is told in the Talmud, the book that contains all the laws of the Jewish religion. |
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Who celebrates Hanukkah? How do people celebrate? HANUKKAH: AN EIGHT DAY CELEBRATION CALLED THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Hanukkah is an eight day religious holiday celebrated by Jewish families all over the world. The eight days of Hanukkah, called the Festival of Lights, is between the end of November and the end of December every year. It commemorates the Macabees triumph over the Syrians over 2000 years ago. It is a time for families to gather and spend time together. Each nightfall of the holiday, families gather to light the menorah, re-affirm their faith, say special blessings for the Hanukkah lights and the miracles they represent from long ago. Each night of the celebration adds another candle that is lit on the menorah. On the first night a special blessing, called Shehehayanu is also said. This same blessing is always said on the first night of every Jewish holiday. After the candles are lit, the family gathers together to have dinner. The latkes, applesauce, donuts and all the other goodies are special for this holiday. Everyone enjoys them. During this eight day celebration, children may play the dreidel game and sing songs. They receive a gift for each night of Hanukkah. |
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You Can't Have Hanukkah without Potato Latkes Everyone traditionally eats potatoe latkes during Hanukkah. Latkes are delicious golden-brown pancakes made with potatoes and served with hot, homemade applesauce. Everyone looks forward to them. The hot oil is a reminder of the oil lasting for eight days, whcih is what the Holiday is about. Maybe you can get someone to help you make some, but be careful not to cut your fingers. We have included some latke and applesauce recipes for your house. You can print them for Mom and maybe she'll help you make them. DON'T TRY TO MAKE THESE YOURSELF BECAUSE YOU MAY GET BURNED BY THE HOT OIL. |
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