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Wednesday, Kislev 23, 5781 / December 9, 2020
Chanukah begins this Thursday night (December 10).
The name Chanukah comes from the word “Chanukat” which means dedication. On that day the Holy Temple was re-dedicated to it’s former level of holiness, after being defiled by the Greek-Assyrians. The Menorah was again kindled with pure, holy olive oil, which was miraculously found and which was sealed with the seal of the High Priest (Kohen Gadol).
There is another idea behind the name Chanukah. Chanukah can be read as two words “Chanu-kah.”
In addition to the dedication of the Holy Temple, Chanukah also celebrates the miracle that the Jewish people won their battles and were able to finally rest and rebuild their country. This took place on the 25th of the month Kislev, which is when we begin the holiday of Chanukah each year.
The name Chanukah alludes to this. “Chanu” means “they rested” and “Kah” in Hebrew, which is comprised from the two letters Kaf and Hay represent the number 25. Thus, Chanukah also means, “They rested on the twenty fifth.”
Q. Why is it that the dates of the Jewish holidays vary from year to year?
A. The Jewish holidays go by the Hebrew calendar and are actually on the same date every year. For example: Chanukah is always on the 25th day in the month of Kislev. The change from year to year is only on the secular calendar. The reason is that the Hebrew calendar year consists of approx. 354 days in a regular year and 385 days in a Hebrew leap, while the secular calendar has 365 days. It’s the difference of these days each year which is responsible for the difference.
Q. Why do many prefer olive oil for lighting the Chanukah menorah?
A. The Chanukah lights commemorate the lights in the Holy Temple which were lit with pure olive oil. Thus, many prefer olive oil over ordinary candles.
Q. Why was only olive oil used in the menorah in the Holy Temple?
A. Our sages tell us that the Jewish people are compared to an olive. In order to get the oil from the olive the olive is pressed and squeezed. The same is with the Jewish people who have shown our greatest accomplishments and have produced our greatest scholars during difficulty and great pressure.
Q. Although the Chanukah lights commemorate the lights of the menorah in the Holy Temple, there are differences between them. What are they?
A. In the Temple menorah there were seven lights, while in the Chanukah menorah we have eight. Also, the menorah in the Temple was lit during the day, while the Chanukah menorah is lit at night.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY