Have you ever wondered how Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, started? Hanukkah has been celebrated for more than 2,000 years and spans over eight days and nights. This holiday started in the second century B.C in a place called Judah which is now known as Israel.
There was a group of rebel warriors who had taken over Judas by the name of Maccabees. They had revolted successfully against Antichous IV Epiphanes who was the leader of the Seleucid Empire in 175 B.C until 164 B.C. There are many factors that made the Maccabees revolt against Antiochus IV, some of them are the promotion of Greek culture, the persecution of Judaism by the Seleucid Empire and the prohibition on various Jewish practices by the Seleucid Empire.
In the year 160 B.C the Maccabees had driven out the Seleucids and had rededicated their temples to the Temple to the Hebrew god. Hanukkah has a different name, The Festival of Lights which got its name by the way that Hanukkah is celebrated. The Selecuids had only left one intact vial of oil to be able to light the Temple’s candelabrum for only one day but, miraculously it stayed lit for eight whole days and nights. This had given the victorious Judeans enough time to be able to acquire more oil. This miracle had become the foundation of a beloved holiday to thank God and celebrate their victory of light over darkness.
Hanukkah had grown popular in the 20’s regardless of being around for more than 2,000 years. This is because of its closeness to our very own Christmas but is celebrated for more than just one day. Today it is celebrated on the 25th day of Kislev which is the ninth month on the Hebrew calendar which is typically mid-November to the beginning of December. Typically you will see candle holders have eight candles to represent the eight days that the fire stayed lit. There is also one extra candle put on some holders that are called the servant or the sham ash. On each night of Hanukkah a candle is lit until all of the candles have been lit by the end of the holiday. During the lighting of the candles people will say prayers, blessings and even sing songs. Gift exchanges are also part of the celebration to commemorate the miracle in the Temple more than 2,000 years ago.
Many people have their own traditions that they celebrate during the holidays and some celebrate Hanukkah or Christmas. All of these different variations and celebrations are what bring people together and make families come together.
