“Celebrating Hanukkah,”
by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith, photos by Lawrence Migdale
Holiday House, New York, 1996, 32 pages, Grades 3-5.
The Book of Genesis tells us that God established a covenant with the Jewish people. They are a Chosen People, set apart to reveal God’s salvation plan for mankind. This plan will reach totality with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Throughout the centuries, attempts have been made to subjugate the Chosen People through religious persecutions. One of the most violent in Old Testament times occurred about 175 B.C. when the Greek-speaking emperor, Antiochus Epiphanes, tried to forcibly eradicate the Jewish religion. This occurred through martyring faithful Jews, breaking kosher dietary laws and through the erection of a statue of Zeus in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Jewish revolt against this religious and political persecution is sometimes called the Maccabean Revolt. It is named after the family of Mattathias Maccabee. The most famous family member is the great general, Judas Maccabee. After their victory in retaking the Temple in Jerusalem, the first Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah, occurs.
Many battles led up to the recapture of the Temple in Jerusalem. Nearly destroyed, the Temple lay in ruins. The soldiers in Judas Maccabee’s army clean and repair the Temple. They desire to hold a rededication ceremony but can only find a small amount of oil for the Temple Lamp. Thinking the oil will only burn for several days, they are astonished to discover that the Lamp Oil burns for eight days and nights.
This miraculous, eight-day burning of the Lamp is celebrated each year through the daily lighting of a candle for eight days in Jewish synagogues and homes. It is a particularly joyous event as it represents the liberation of the Jewish nation from religious and political oppression.
The beautiful crafted menorah holds nine candles and takes center stage during Hanukkah. While some menorahs are simply constructed, others are elaborately built religious artifacts. They remind many Christians of lovely candelabras. Eight of the candles represent the eight days the Temple Lamp burned during the restoration of the Temple and one candle is for the daily lighting celebration. This one candle is called “The Shammash.” In Hebrew, this word means “servant” and represents the person lighting one candle each day.
During Hanukkah, special prayers are said in commemoration of the feast, followed by joyous feasts. Children often receive presents such as “Hanukkah Gelt” (money). This can be actual money but today is often foil-wrapped chocolates shaped like coins. As the candles are lit each day, families visit, eat delicious food and share their love for each other. Potato pancakes, or latkes, are frequently eaten during Hanukkah. Made of grated onions, potatoes and whipped eggs, latkes are fried in oil and served piping hot. Though clearly not on the Weight Watchers Diet Plan, latkes fill people with warm comfort and add to the celebration.
Hanukkah is celebrated each year in late November or early December, according to the older Jewish calendar. It is a testimony to the Chosen People refusing to submit to a brutal religious persecution. The great courage shown by Judas Maccabee and his army is rightly celebrated in this beautiful feast.
So the menorah recalls the spiritual importance of this celebration. I hope you get a chance to go to the library and check out this fine book, “Celebrating Hanukkah,” by Diane Hoyt-Goldsmith. The latke recipe is found on p. 22 by the way. I’m planning on trying it and hope you will too. Enjoy!
