Israeli Flag Menorah
For the first time since 1959, Christmas and Hanukkah have fallen on the same day. If you’re not entirely familiar with what Hanukkah is all about, now is a good time to learn. Here is a bit of information for you about the Jewish holiday which last for eight days, starting today. Eight days of celebrating–sounds good to me đ
Via the AP:
Families gathered at sundown to light the first candle of the Hanukkah festival, which commemorates an ancient victory of Jewish forces in the Holy Land against foreign conquerors…
Theologically, Hanukkah is a minor festival on the Jewish calendar, but it has grown to prominence because of its proximity to Christmas. This year the first night of the holiday coincides with Christmas Day, a rare coincidence of the two calendars ââŹâ the first time it has happened since 1959.
The practice of gift giving carried over into Hanukkah because of the Christmas precedent, though the Jewish holiday precedes the Christian one.
Hanukkah recalls the victory against all odds of the small Maccabean army against the Syrian king Antiochus in 165 B.C. The eight-day length of the festival is a result of the account that when the Jews rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the invaders, a single vial of oil, enough for one day, burned miraculously for eight.
Related Links:
History Channel: History of Hanukkah
Hillel: Overview: Hanukkah History
There is some evidence that Jesus celebrated Hanukah. At least he went up to the temple during the celebration: “And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.” John 10:22-23