2007-12-09 17:17:25 · 5 answers · asked by smooth 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Hanukkah
Isnt it christmas for Jewish people? Its just a guess.
2007-12-09 17:25:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
The Jewish celebration of the defeat of the Greeks, allowing them once again to study Torah in public and keep other commandments banned by the Greeks. The culmination of the great miracle of so small a people defeating the great power of the enemy was the miracle of the menorah- the candelabrum of the Holy Temple. The miracle of one container of oil lasting for 8 days (until new proper oil could be made and transported) was just another sign of G-d's love for His people, that He did not forsake them, and that is the outer "ceremony" of Chanukah. The holiday celebrates both miracles (military and spiritual) along with all the components that go with each.
2007-12-10 02:34:37 · answer #2 · answered by NAnswers 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hanukkah is a festival celebrating the first war in recorded history fought for religious freedom.
"An abridged version of the story:
It is 223 BCE and the Greek Seleucid Dynasty rules parts of the Middle East, including ancient Israel. King Antiochus III is good for the Jews except for his huge taxes and cultivation of Hellenist culture. He dies. Son Seleucus IV takes over, increases taxation. Hellenistic cultural invasion of Jewish society reaches epidemic proportions--monotheistic Judaism out, humanistic Hellenism in.
Seleucus gets iced in 174 BCE, brother Antiochus IV takes throne, forcefully attempts to rub out Judaism--forbids Shabbat, Kashrut, circumcision et al on pain of death. Mass persecution/execution of Jews begins around 170 BCE.
140 BCE sees riot erupt in quaint little village Modi'in: local Jews led by elder Mattityahu and sons defend daughter/sister from pre-marriage initiation, kill Antiochus' soldiers, head for the hills. News spreads, Jewish rebel army quickly forms across country and wages increasingly successful guerilla warfare for a year.
On or around December 14, 140 BCE (the 25th of Kislev, 3622) Jewish army restores regular Temple operations with limited resources, light makeshift Menorah with one-day supply of olive oil, and miracle of miracles! Oil burns for eight days until fresh fuel arrives, and the shine of spirituality melts the senselessness of secularism."
In commemoration of this, Jews light and bless candles for eight days (one candle the first night, two the second, etc). We eat traditional foods fried in oil (potato pancakes for European Jews, doughnuts for Sephardic Jews), give small gifts, traditionally coins, and relax with family, friends, games, and some singing.
It has absolutely nothing to do with Christmas except that both holidays occur sometime in December, near the winter solstice.
2007-12-10 01:36:22 · answer #3 · answered by SheyneinNH 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
people r so ignorant to the jewish culture
2007-12-10 01:30:20 · answer #4 · answered by jewish man 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
God is the reason for all
2007-12-10 02:18:28 · answer #5 · answered by Laguna m 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋