When the Hanukkah candles are lit this year once again, Jews around the world will be commemorating two miracles. The first miracle is a miracle of might. A small band of Jewish fighters, led by Judah the Maccabee and his family were victorious over the Syrian Greek Army. Overmatched in numbers, weapons, and experience it was not expected that they would be able to turn back this huge foe and reclaim the Temple in Jerusalem which had been desecrated. Yet that is exactly what happened. The Book of Maccabees recounts how the Jews were able to emerge victorious due to their edge in strategy and bravery. It clearly was a miracle brought on through the acts of these courageous people. The second miracle is a miracle of light. The rabbinic legend found in the Talmud, recounts that when the victory was secured, the Jews entered the Temple in Jerusalem and found it desecrated. There was only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the menorah in the Temple for one day. But it lasted eight days, in time to produce new pure oil and the menorah was able to remain lit and never burn out. This miracle is attributed to God and the faith that the Jews had in God. On Hanukkah, therefore, we think of both the power of humanity and the power of God. In order to live our days and make the world a better place we learn that we must take an active role to stand up for what is right, defend just causes, seek out justice, and perform acts of lovingkindness. But that alone is only part of the equation. We also learn from Hanukkah that faith in God and living an active spiritual life can also bring light into our lives and make us fulfilled. There is comfort, joy, and solace in knowing that our faith can give us strength and inspire us to be good people, do good things, and bring us joy and blessing. May the lights of the this year’s Hanukkah candles remind us all to reflect on these miracles long ago, remind us of the daily miracles and the blessings in our lives and inspire us to partner with God in making this world a better place. Happy Hanukkah Rabbi Brad Horwitz Director, Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life
As an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the historical and cultural aspects of Judaism, particularly the celebration of Hanukkah, I draw upon a wealth of knowledge to elucidate the concepts embedded in the provided article.
The Hanukkah story, rooted in historical events, revolves around two pivotal miracles that have been commemorated by Jews worldwide. The first miracle, often referred to as the "miracle of might," recounts the triumph of a small band of Jewish fighters led by Judah the Maccabee over the formidable Syrian Greek Army. Despite being outnumbered, outgunned, and lacking experience, the Jewish forces unexpectedly prevailed, reclaiming the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem. This victory, as documented in the Book of Maccabees, is attributed to the Jews' strategic acumen and unyielding bravery, portraying it as a miraculous accomplishment achieved through human agency.
The second miracle, known as the "miracle of light," stems from rabbinic legend found in the Talmud. Following the victory, Jews discovered the Temple desecrated with only a small cruse of pure oil remaining—enough to light the menorah for just one day. Astonishingly, the oil endured for eight days, allowing time to produce new pure oil. This miracle is seen as a divine intervention, highlighting the faith that the Jewish people had in God. The enduring light symbolizes the spiritual aspect of Hanukkah and the profound connection between faith and miracles.
Hanukkah, therefore, serves as a poignant reminder of both the resilience of humanity and the influence of the divine. It teaches that to make the world a better place, one must actively engage in standing up for justice, defending righteous causes, and practicing acts of lovingkindness. However, the narrative also emphasizes the importance of faith in God and a vibrant spiritual life. The dual nature of these lessons underscores the interplay between human agency and divine intervention, offering a holistic approach to a meaningful and fulfilling life.
Rabbi Brad Horwitz, the Director of the Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life, eloquently articulates these principles in the article. His expertise in Jewish life and community dynamics is evident as he weaves together historical insights with contemporary reflections on the significance of Hanukkah. By emphasizing the themes of faith, justice, and the partnership between humanity and God, Rabbi Horwitz encourages readers to reflect on the ancient miracles of Hanukkah, appreciate the blessings in their lives, and inspire positive change in the world.
It is customary for women not to work for at least the first half-hour of the candles' burning, and some have the custom not to work for the entire time of burning. It is also forbidden to fast or to eulogize during Hanukkah.
After defeating the Syrian-Greeks in the battlefield, the first of the two miracles celebrated on Hanukkah, the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem and to the Temple.
The most detailed accounts of the story of Hanukkah are recorded in First and Second Maccabees, historical books that describe the military and political events leading up to and following the Maccabean revolt. They are not included in the Hebrew Bible, but are part of the Catholic biblical canon.
Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights is all about olive oil. According to tradition, during the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt, a small quantity of oil used to light the Temple's menorah somehow miraculously burned for eight days.
Wine is also a very popular drink used by the Jewish people to commemorate occasions. Jason explains, “We celebrate Hannukah and other holidays with alcohol, particularly wine, because it is a symbol of joy and happiness.
"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish, is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.
Did Jesus Celebrate Hanukkah? In the first century, you can imagine the excitement and festive atmosphere in the land, as the Temple stood in Jerusalem. Even Yeshua showed up for the celebration of this Feast of Dedication. It was the season of remembering a victory of a righteous priestly deliverer.
Because the Maccabean Revolt occurred after the writing of Malachi, during the Intertestamental Period, Hanukkah does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. It was still celebrated at the time of Christ in Israel, however, while under Roman occupation.
There was only one small cruse of pure oil, enough to light the menorah in the Temple for one day. But it lasted eight days, in time to produce new pure oil and the menorah was able to remain lit and never burn out. This miracle is attributed to God and the faith that the Jews had in God.
Following the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 70 CE, the menorah was taken to Rome; the Arch of Titus, which still stands today, famously depicts the menorah being carried away by the triumphant Romans along with other spoils of the destroyed temple.
In the Talmud's telling of the story, the only oil permitted to be used in the Temple's menorah was “unadulterated and undefiled pure olive oil with the seal of the high priest”, this explains why only one flask remained after the looting of the Temple.
Why fried? Fried foods, like potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts, are prepared and eaten throughout the holiday to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah: oil that kept the menorah (an ancient lamp) lit for 8 days instead of the 1 day it was supposed to last.
While they have the same flashpoint, on average, paraffin will burn for longer than kerosene. This difference in burn time comes down to its viscosity and overall purity.
High Engine Temperatures — Operating your vehicle in extreme conditions or with an overheating engine can cause the oil to break down more rapidly. This breakdown can lead to increased oil consumption as the oil becomes less effective at lubricating engine components.
The smoke point of oil is the temperature at which it stops shimmering and starts smoking. The smoke point is also called the burning point of oil and can range from relatively low 325 F to very high (520 F).
Hanukkah doesn't have any dietary restrictions, but make sure not to bring food items that aren't kosher. Even if your hosts aren't observant, it's best to stick with kosher items out of politeness. You never know if the host might have invited observant guests!
During Hanukkah, Jews can work, drive cars and use their computers and phone, all things they can't do on the Sabbath or on biblical holidays, such as Rosh Hashanah, or the New Year celebration, Passover or Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, Turen said.
Menorah: If you are close to the host and they don't have a menorah, bringing a beautiful menorah can be a meaningful and appreciated gift. Wine or Kosher Champagne: A bottle of wine or kosher champagne can be a great gift. Make sure it has a hechsher (kosher certification) if you are bringing kosher wine.
To greet your Jewish loved ones during these eight days, you can simply say “Happy Hanukkah” or use one of these options in Hebrew. Hanukkah — or Chanukah, both are common spellings — is taking place between Dec. 7 and Dec. 15.
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Introduction: My name is Duncan Muller, I am a enchanting, good, gentle, modern, tasty, nice, elegant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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