2007-12-04 06:00:52 · 7 answers · asked by sugalumpsugalump 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Hanukkah
Once upon a time. - The End.
2007-12-04 06:03:42 · answer #1 · answered by rattyrat 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Chanukah is actually a very minor holiday in Judaism. The story of Chanukah is in Macabee II and details are vague for the most part. The gist of it- The Jews were in battle with the Greeks who were trying to take over the Temple and the jews. They contaminated the oil which was needed for ritual lighting. There was only enough oil for one night but it lasted for eight nights(which was a miracle). We celebrate this miracle by lighting the menorah(or chanukia) for eight nights and eating foods made in oil like sufganyot(jelly donughts) and latkes(porato pancakes). Ironically, sufganyot were derrived from lokoumathes, a Greek donut similar to sufganyot.
2007-12-04 07:24:48 · answer #2 · answered by Yisrael Chai 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The spelling may vary - the story does not. During the reign of Alexander the great the Jews were forbidden from studying Torah or preserving their culture. They cleverly disguised the teaching by spinning tops and pretending to gamble.Judah Macabee and his soldiers conquered and restored the temple to the Israelites and although there was only enough oil to relight the temple light that represents the presence of G-d among us was only enough for 1 night it burned for 8 until more oil could be made. Thus the celebration of lights.
2007-12-04 08:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by Walking on Sunshine 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Post Alexander. Syrian- Greeks rule Israel. Try to get Jews to assimilate into Greek culture, and defile the Jewish Temple. Many Jews start assimilating, a few fight a war, beat the Greeks, liberate the Temple. Now, in order to light the lamp in the Temple, you need pure oil. There's only 1 day's worth that wasn't destroyed. They light it, and it lasts for 8 days, until new oil comes.
2007-12-06 14:30:58 · answer #4 · answered by ysk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There was a battle the Jews were in. They were barricaded in a Temple, and they light a candle for every day they lasted before they made it outta there. Now it's a minor Jewish holiday that coincides with Xmas. Less important than Yom Kippur. The end.
2007-12-04 06:05:21 · answer #5 · answered by ryan c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.chanuka.com/history.shtml If that's to long try this http://www.history.com/minisites/hanukkah
2007-12-04 06:05:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I would but i havent a clue what your on about
2007-12-04 06:03:31 · answer #7 · answered by Freakin 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋