Thursday, Kislev 17, 5784 / November 30, 2023
We are one week from Chanukah. The first Chanukah candle will be lit Thursday night, December 7. Chanukah being an eight day holiday, there is always a Shabbat during Chanukah and sometimes two. When the first day Chanukah is Shabbat then the eighth day of Chanukah is also Shabbat. Otherwise, there is one Shabbat during Chanukah.
The Chanukah candles are lit each night of Chanukah in a place where they are visible, like at a window or door or in public places, in order to publicize the miracle of Chanukah.
Q. What miracle is celebrated on Chanukah? When and where did it take place?
A. The miracle of Chanukah happened during the Second Temple. After the destruction of the first Temple, Jews were exiled from Israel for a period of seventy years. After that Jews were permitted to return and rebuild the Temple.
Unfortunately, during the era of Alexander the Great, Hellenism and Greek culture started making inroads into Jewish life and to many it replaced the ways of the Torah. One of the cruel rulers of the Land of Israel after the death of Alexander was Antiochus. He issued harsh decrees against Jews and forbade them to observe many of the Torah laws. The observance of Shabbat, circumcision, Rosh Chodesh and Jewish festivals were forbidden under the penalty of death. The Holy Temple and its contents were desecrated and defiled. Pagan culture and idolatry was practiced in the land of Israel.
Many adopted the new order, while many chose death and torture rather than accept the culture of the Greeks and the worship of idols. Matisyahu the High Priest and his sons, amongst whom was Yehuda Maccabee, and a small Jewish army, waged war against the Greeks and with G-d’s help were victorious.
They rededicated the Holy Temple. However, when they wanted to kindle the Menorah, which was done daily in the Temple, they found that all the oil was defiled by the Greeks. They finally found one cruise of undefiled pure olive oil, bearing the seal of the High Priest. It contained no more than one day’s supply. With great faith in G-d, they lit the holy Menorah and a miracle occurred. The one-day amount of oil miraculously lasted for eight days. After which they were able to produce new pure fresh oil.
The sages at that time designated these eight days as days of celebration and a holiday of Thanksgivings, every year. During these eight days we thank and praise G-d for this great miracle with special prayers, reading from the Torah and the kindling our own personal Chanukah lights.
Q. What is the meaning of the name Chanukah?
A. Chanukah means dedication. It commemorates that on the 25th day in the month of Kislev, the Holy Temple, which was in a state of defilement, was rededicated and restored.
WITH SPECIAL PRAYERS FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN ISRAEL. FREE THEM ALL NOW.
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY