If you are a Christian, without going to another website tell me what you know about Hanukkah?

Question

I am interested to learn what Christians and others too know about the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah. As I feel we need to know about the people in our world so that we understand each other better, I try to become versed on their cultures and beliefs. But I am interested to know if others feel the same, and know anything about the Jewish holiday. I am a Christian, but I have actually read the Hebrew Prayers for Hanukkah at the lighting of the Menorah to honour the people who lived where I worked. I am very open minded with regards to religious beliefs and wonder if other share my respect for other peoples' beliefs.

Sami - It can be spelled both with or without a "C". As many of my friends are Jewish, I used the spelling they preferred, but thank you for bringing that to our attention.

Jimeisn - It is great news to know that seminary students are educated in the religious beliefs of others - Godspeed to you also

I am impressed over all with the answers I have receive thus far -- it warms my heart to know that others actually know something about our world around us and haven't made it negative. Thank you in the spirit of love and understanding. You all do me proud.

Answer 1

I'm an Atheist. My understanding of Hanukkah is it is a celebration of something having to do with oil for a lantern which miraculously lasted 13 nights, hence the menorah.

EDIT: your question made me realize I knew even less than I thought I knew about the holiday. For other like me, and who want to learn about it, here is a link I found which pretty well tells the story.
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm

Answer 2

What I know is that the Jewish people fought the Greeks in a rebellion to reassert a Jewish Kingdom. The fighting culiminated in Jerusalem at the Temple of Solomon. I think after the Jews won the battle the oil which was lighting the tabernacle or w/e lasted 8 days even though it had enough oil to last one. So the Jewish leaders ( The Brothers Maccabee) declared this a holiday

Answer 3

I'm a seminary student, so my answer will be weighted -- meaning I know more than the average Christian.

Here's the story from memory - so the spellings will be horrible --

The occupying Syrian king created these sort of mobile sacrifice carts that would go from village to village, where the local Jews could sacrifice to God. But the sacrifices included a pig -- an insult to the Jews, and pigs were being sacrificed at the Temple - an even bigger insult.

So, a fellow named Matthias revolted, and killed the priest, and refused.

One of his sons, Judas Maccabeus -- known as "the hammer," led the Maccebeun revolt. They drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem, and retook the Temple.

As they cleaned the Temple (Washing out the pig blood, for example), they decided to have festival to celebrate. They have enough oil to last one night -- but because of God's approval, the oil lasts eight nights.

All of this happened around 165 BCE.

Tonight, Dec. 8, is the anniversary of the fourth night, the Festival of Lights.

That's what I remember.

Godspeed.

Answer 4

About 150 BC a Greek ruler named Antioch's Epiphanies oppressed the Jewish people & even offered pigs blood upon the altar. There was a rovolt by some Jewish people called the Macabees. They defeated the Greeks (a mirical in itself) & rededicated the Temple which had been prophaned by Antiochus E. They needed to burn the minora (8 place candle stick) for 8 days but they had only enough "consecrated oil" for 1 day. Miraculesly the candle burned for 8 days until more Kosher oil could be produced.
The Jews view this miracal as a sign of Gods faithfulness to His people. He is still faithful to the Jewish people. Israel is a modern day miracle, very few can see it though. I hope you can. God bless you

Answer 5

Hanukkah is the celebration of that wonderful miracle that happened when they only had enough lamp oil for 1 night or so, and it lasted 8 days!

And so, they celebrate by lighting the mennorah every night for 8 days. It isn't mean to be the Jewish version of Christmas, but they give the kiddies smaller presents, one each day, depending on the family. Keeping in mind it isn't about the presents but about the miracle.

Answer 6

Firstly, to WISHER - we do not have 'lots of money and wear lots of gold' - what are you on about???

Jews are the same as any other group: some are poor, some are wealthy, some work very hard, some don't. You should not keep spreading this hateful lie that we are all rich - because trust me, we aren't!

Now to the asker:

It's lovely of you to post a question about Chanukah - the Festival Of Lights.

It's a relatively minor festival for us, but we do enjoy it and it's fun for children. Contrary to what 'Mary' posted, no we don't fast; in fact, the opposite; the custom is more to eat sweet and oily foods! And some of them are really delicious!

Children usually get gifts every evening during the eight nights of Chanukah, but adults don't tend to do this so much.

For anyone who wants a more detailed description, there are some really lovely sites including:

http://www.whatjewsbelieve.org/

http://www.askmoses.com

http://www.jewfaq.org

Happy holidays to everyone :)

Answer 7

Ok, I followed the rules about not looking at a website for the answer. Here's what I know or think I know.
It began with the dedication of the Temple, there wasn't enough oil to light the lamps for the duration of the dedication process, but miraculously God provided the oil and the lamps didn't go out. The menorah is used, and one candle is lit each nite, for 8 nites I think, to commemorate God's miracle.
Yes, I'm a Christian and yes I wish I knew more about the Jewish faith from which all Christians can trace their spiritual roots.

Answer 8

He's just trying to be merry. For Christians, Christmas isn't just the week of the 25th. It's basically from Black Friday until New Years. So, your Hanukkah overlaps his Christmas and if you say "happy Hanukkah" then he, being Christian, will reply "Merry Christmas". Are you choosing to be offended? I certainly hope the Christian man didn't act like a jerk and rudely reply "Merry Christmas" with hateful sarcasm.

Answer 9

I am willing to admit that I really know nothing about Hanukkah. But I can respect the fact that other religions celebrate different religious holidays... I know some people get all defensive when people of other religions talk about the holidays they celebrate.

Answer 10

Okay, this is what I think I know:

A group of people, possibly the Maccabees, were hiding in a cave somewhere to keep safe from some other people who wanted to hurt them. They only had enough oil to light the cave for one night, but miraculously it lasted for eight nights.

I hope this is close!

Also, I know it's not that big of a holiday in Judaism, it's just become well knows because it's close to Christmas.