The Religious And Historical Meaning Of Hanukkah

BY ROBIN FARMER

Media General News Service

Soon, millions of Jews worldwide will light menorah candles to celebrate the first day of Hanukkah, which is also commonly spelled Chanukah. Rabbi Ben Romer, spiritual leader of Congregation Or Ami on Huguenot Road in Richmond, recently discussed with the Richmond Times-Dispatch the religious and historical meaning of the holiday.

Q. What is Hanukkah?

A. "The ultimate religious-freedom holiday! Chanukah celebrates the commitment of a group of people who fought for their right to live in a greater society but not be pressured or forced to be the same religiously. The Jews who fought then were willing to give their lives to continue worshiping and being in covenant with the One and wishing to remain within a greater society as well. Something that should resonate with all Americans."

Q. What does the word mean?

A. "Dedication. Chanukah celebrates the rededication of the ancient Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 167 BCE after it had been desecrated with pagan sacrifices."

Q. When does it begin?

A. "On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. This year, on the evening of December 4th. All Jewish holidays, actually all days, begin at sundown — recalling the creation story in Genesis 1 — 'And it was evening and it was morning, a first day.' Since the evening is first mentioned, the Jewish day begins at sundown."

Q. Does it celebrate history?

A. "Yes, In 167 BCE, Antiochus Epiphanes, the Syrian-Greek king of the Seleucid kingdom, mandated that Jews had to now worship Greek gods. He converted the Holy Temple in Jerusalem into a pagan altar. Mattathias the Hasmonean gathered faithful Jews to fight against this religious bigotry. His five sons, led by Judah (nicknamed 'The Hammer,' the Maccabee) fought a long guerrilla war against the Seleucid armies, eventually defeating them. The Hasmoneans cleansed and rededicated the Temple and then celebrated their religious freedom. That celebration has become Chanukah."

Q. How is it celebrated?

A. "Jews light chanukiyot (Chanukah menorahs) that have eight lights plus a helper light. On the first night, one light is lit, the second night, two, and on until the eighth night when all eight are glowing. Foods cooked in vegetable oil are eaten. Most American Jews eat latkes — a tasty potato pancake. Israelis have developed the tradition of eating sufganiot — a deep-fried jelly donut — of course cooked in oil! Presents are exchanged on Chanukah. I remember my non-Jewish friends deciding that it might be a good idea to be Jewish. I had eight days of receiving gifts to their one. Actually, Judaism adopted the giving of gifts from the American Christmas tradition of doing so. We sing songs and gather as family. Many Jews decorate their homes as well."

Q. Why is the holiday spelled different ways?

A. "Transliterations are always a challenge, and the first letter of the word is best sounded by making the sound of clearing your throat. That isn't easy to spell in English, is it?"

Q. What is the meaning behind the Hanukkah lights?

A. "After the Maccabees liberated and cleansed the Temple in Jerusalem, they found they needed an eight-day supply of oil to keep the menorah lit while new oil was made. All they found was a crude of oil that would last one day. Miraculously, it lasted the whole eight days until new oil was delivered. Today we light the chanukiah (Chanukah menorah), each night adding a light until we reach a total of nine — one for each of the eight days plus a helper, in remembrance of the miracle."

Robin Farmer is a staff writer at the Richmond Times-Dispatch.