Sunday, December 21, 2008

1st Night of Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah
From Dubiquilts and Family to
You and Your Family!


The Hebrew calendar states an eight-day Jewish holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, is an astounding festive called Hanukkah, and is also termed as the Jewish Festival of Lights. This holiday may fall anytime between late November and late December. This festive season is celebrated due to the upcoming of the Second Temple at the time of the Maccabee insurgence. Thousands of candles illuminate the Jewish homes during festival.The word Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival Of Lights is deciphered from the word dedication. After the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem took place. The internal flame in the Temple was lit for one full day. According to Talmud, the flame phenomenally lasted for eight days; hence the festival of eating and playing games came into being one of the longest festivals in the world lasting over an entire week. The Jews celebrated these eight days with downright gratification. After the second temple was re-dedicated Judah and his brothers agreed to commemorate this eight days every year. The deuterocanonical books of the Maccabees mentioned the festival of Jewish Festival Of Lights with great honor and respect. The entire Israel parishioners have been celebrating these eight days since a long time. Joyous times are shared between friends and family. Execution and torture was also linked to the Jewish Festival Of Lights according to an old Talmudic Story. Various rituals take place during this festival. Some rituals are common for all and some within the family. These rituals are performed throughout the eight days. Prayers are personalized and meals are extended. Work hours become less as they have to return home under the sunlight. Schools are closed for the whole period despite of no attachment to the religion. Jewish Festival Of Lights is also known as the Chanukah. Hundreds of songs are linked with this festival. One of such songs is dridel, dridel, dridel, sung in English. Another song called Chanukah, Oh Chanukah is sung in harmony in every home. It is now considered a national holiday. Songs are often interpreted in English to commemorate the verses, such as the Kad Katan is meant to be A Small Jug and Mi Yimalel as Who Can Retell.Celebratory food is enjoyed in all households throughout the eight days of Jewish Festival Of Lights . Among the Ashkenazi families, the Surfganjyot with jelly potato pancakes are traditionally very famous. Food is either baked or fried in olive oil. The significance of olive oil goes back to the eternal flames that lasted for eight days in the temple. Fruits-filled doughnuts, fired in olive oil, is one of the main courses along with Kosher foods.


Debbi
dubiquilts@dubiquilts.com (email)
Proud Parent of a U.S. Marine and U.S. Soldier
©2006 - 2008 DubiQuilts

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

fuull story of hanukkah:
watch

Anonymous said...

Happy Hanukkah to the Dubi's.

Did I read that right? Jelly potoato pancakes?

Enjoy your radio program.

LCN

Warty Mammal said...

Thank you for this background on the holiday. I confess that I'm quite ignorant!

I hope the holiday is personally and spiritually satisfying for you, and that you're doing well.

Deb Hardman said...

One of my very dearest friends, Ilene is Jewish. The daughter of a Rabbi. When my kids were little we would have a Hannuka party at her house, & she would sing the songs & light the Menorrah. They played the dradle game & won chocolate coins. We had traditional food like the pancakes, but I think ours had honey, not jelly. It was really fun to learn about their traditions, & my kids still remember our time with my friend.

Deb Hardman said...

Oh & what I really meant to say, was thank you! for the interesting history lesson!

Deb Hardman said...

Oh & what I really meant to say, was thank you! for the interesting history lesson!

Unknown said...

Happy Holidays Debbi. Hope all is well for you and your family.