The holiday in rememberence of the rededication of the Second Temple. The Temple was destroyed 70 AD so why selebrate?
2007-12-23 06:38:32 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
We celebrate Chanukah because:
Tradition says that the Maccabees found a tiny supply of oil that could only last for one day - but it burned for eight. Thus the kindling of the eight lights of Chanukah menorah. A song of praise to G-d is sung after each night's lighting of the candles.
Chanukah is a very enjoyable festival, especially for children, as they get presents every night!
2007-12-23 06:45:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
What Chanukah commemorates at heart is the Jewish yearning for God, for the concentrated holiness of the Temple and its service. The defeat of the Syrian-Greeks was a wonder, but the spiritual climax of the Maccabees' rebellion occurred when the menorah was rekindled and God's presence among his people could be felt once again.
Chanukah is the only Jewish holiday not found in the Tanach and the only one rooted in a military campaign. And yet its focus is almost entirely spiritual, not physical. For example, there is no feast associated with Chanukah, the way there is with Passover and Purim, the two other Jewish festivals of deliverance. Its religious observance is concentrated on flame, nothing more. And the menorah's lights may only be gazed at; it is forbidden to use them for any physical purpose -- not even to read by.
The lack of a physical side to Chanukah is unusual but appropriate. For the Maccabees' war against the Hellenists was ultimately a war against a worldview that elevated the physical above all, that venerated beauty, not holiness; the body, not the soul. The Jews fought to preserve a different view of the world -- one with God, not man, at its center.
Because they triumphed, the Jewish religion survived. More than 2,000 years later, the Hellenists and their pagan gods are buried in the dust of history.
2007-12-23 15:05:09 · answer #2 · answered by Mark S, JPAA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Because Chanukah is a celebration of miracles. BTW Jesus celebrated Chanukah when he was on Earth and He still celebrates it with all the saints in Heaven.
Jhn 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
Jhn 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch.
I Cr 13;8a
2007-12-25 05:49:03 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Temple was there, so why not celebrate it?
We celebrate Christmas, yet we don't even know which day Jesus was born on.
2007-12-23 14:45:18 · answer #4 · answered by geessewereabove 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why do you celebrate Christmas when Jesus died over two thousand years ago? He's gone so why bother?
I hope you see the pointlessness of your question now. And just for the record, Chanukah isn't a major Jewish holiday - it isn't even in the bible.
2007-12-23 14:42:03 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
The war is over, let's eat.
If you want to know the real meaning of Channakuh, you can read "The Flame" from the Chassidic Heritage series.
Of course, as Jews, we reserve the right to have many real meanings.
Shalom,
Gershon
2007-12-23 14:50:19 · answer #6 · answered by Gershon b 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If the Jews had lost that war, that would have been the end of Judaism. No Judaism, no Christianity, no Islam. Maybe everyone should celebrate Hannukah!
.
2007-12-23 14:45:33 · answer #7 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Right or wrong, religion will never eliminate any of its beliefs.
2007-12-25 19:44:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because its part of their religious history.
2007-12-23 14:42:38 · answer #9 · answered by paula r 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yahweh Ben Yahweh..!!
2007-12-23 14:48:44 · answer #10 · answered by Rampage 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋