Friday 14 December 2007

Hanukka


I 've been reading about the Jewish festival of Hanukka.My Jewish friend Teddy talks about it on his blog.I don 't know if it is based on an incident recorded in our Christian Old Testament. Have to research that. But I like making the potato fritters called latkes. And I 'll be on the look out for for Jewish menorah candle stand.

This is what I got from BBC (excerpts)

Hanukkah is an eight day holiday starting on the 25th night of the Jewish month of Kislev. Hanukkah (The Hebrew word means 'Dedication') is also known as the Festival of Lights. The holiday goes back almost 2,400 years. Hanukkah celebrates one of the greatest miracles in Jewish history.
The origins of Hanukkah are an event that happened over two thousand years ago. At this time, Judea was ruled by Antiochus, a Syrian king. He attempted to assimilate the Jews into Greek culture, commanding them to worship Greek gods while oppressing Jewish culture and religion. A statue of Antiochus was erected in the Jewish temple and it was ordered that the Jews should bow down before him.
The Ten Commandments forbid Jews to worship statues or idols and so they refused. A small group of Jews called Maccabees (which probably comes from the Hebrew word meaning 'the Hammerer') rebelled, risking their lives to prevent the desecration of their Temple. Although the Maccabees won, the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. The Jews had to clean and repair the Temple, and when they were finished they rededicated it to God by rekindling the sacred Menorah (a six-stemmed candelabrum) of the temple. Only one small jar of sanctified oil was found, and yet the lamp stayed alight miraculously for eight days.
It is because of this miracle that Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting one candle on the Hanukiah (an eight-stemmed candelabrum) each day. 'Rock of Ages' ('Moaz Tzur' in Hebrew), a hymn of praise to God, is sung after each night's lighting of the candles. The Hanukiah symbolises how God looked after the Jewish people at this difficult time.

Like Christmas, Hanukkah is a special time for children. Gifts and Hanukkah money are exchanged. Some families give a small present on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Children and adults play with a spinning top called a dreidel. This cube-shaped dice has a Hebrew letter on each side.
Some dishes have special significance, such as latkes (a kind of potato fritter), pancakes and doughnuts. This is because they are fried in oil and so Jewish people remember the miracle of the oil lasting eight days in the temple.
My country has close ties with Israel. We get a lot of tourists from there, many of them interested in Eastern religions.


In the Word we are exhorted to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and salvation of the Jews.
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Just call a from Namrita, my younger sister who lives in Meghalaya (N.E.)Today is her bro-in-law 's pre-wedding dinner party.She was asked for the recipe of fried fish.They are doing 60 pounds(30kgs).Their culture, food, traditions etc is completely different from ours.They have a matriarchal society.Namrita had to make a lot of cultural adjustmentments when she married my BIL.But the Garo people love her,they appreciate the way she has adapted to their society.

16 Fertilize my soul:

Aura said...

Hi Amrita
Thank you for this educational post about Jews Hanukka. I still have to learn a lot about peoples culture.
I remember when i was in Dubai, the Indians also indians also celebrate the festival of lights.If i remember it right,it´s called Diwali?

Praise and Coffee said...

Hello Amrita,
Beautiful post! Thank you!

I would be happy to send you a CD, just email me your address. You can get to my email on my profile.

I can't promise it will be a quick delivery though! *smile*

Praise and Coffee said...

Hello Amrita,
Beautiful post! Thank you!

I would be happy to send you a CD, just email me your address. You can get to my email on my profile.

I can't promise it will be a quick delivery though! *smile*

inspired said...

interesting read & Fried fish for wedding dinner party Yum :]

Gudl said...

Yes, nice post!

Roo said...

i love this jewish celebration. i lived in jerusalem over the time of the year that they celebrate hannukah. it was soooo beautiful. seeing the lights in their windows and knowing what it all represented!

Felisol said...

Dear Amrita.
Congratulation on your award. I'm impressed, but not surprised. you did really so deserve it.
I'm proud that you also are my good blog-friend.
You are especially emphatic, encouraging and good at bringing in light when times are not so good.
That's extraordinary since you are struggling both with health problems and also family wise yourself.
Perhaps that's just why you are able to be so understanding and helpful.
I do appreciate your comments and good hearted spirit.
Wish you all well for now and the time to come.
Yours Felisol

Shari said...

I knew a little about the 8-day lighting with Hanukka. Thanks for sharing your research with us.

Been so busy with classes. Next week is my last week. Whew. :)

Anonymous said...

Nice knowing about this wonderful festival elaborately in details...Thanks very much for sharing!
About the culture in NE India, I agree with your thoughts about the different cultures, traditions & customs which are very different from the rest of India, but are quite unique & enjoyable!

Apun Ka Desh said...

Very interesting info... keep writing!

Web-OJ said...

Good info. Reminded me of our Diwali,

Mrs. Mac said...

Just popping over from Living on Grace (Pat's blog) ... what a great reminder about Hanukka. Years ago I home schooled my children. Each Christmas season we would celebrate the traditions of different cultures. One year we even celebrated Hanukka and have many wonderful memories. It's nice to make your acquaintance.

TMM said...

I think it was during Hanukkah Jesus said He was the light of the world.

Angie at asonflower.blogspot.com writes on the light theme as well =)

Blessings!

Sidharth

Jo's-D-Eyes said...

Hi my dear friend Amrita,
Have agreat weekend and hanks for explaining about the 'Jews 8-day lighting with Hanukka'. Thanks for sharing your research with us.
I am always interested in other cultures ,
QUESTION AND ANSWER:
Your question about how long it takes to 'uplaod photo's with slideshows"

My answe is it takes a LOOOOONG time, because its going to another webside, it also depends how big or small your photo's are, you better make them smaller FIRST on your computer, after that upload them to slideshow. That safes more time online, while uploading them to slideshow......

I hope my answer is clear to you?
Have good sunday my dear:)
Hugh from JoAnn:)

Amrita said...

Thank you for all yopu kind comments friends.Try making latkes. i like them.

Thank you Sue. I am sending you an e-mail

Mrs. Mac said...

Hi Amrita ... Thanks for visiting my site ... you may use/quote/link my post about Christmas moderation (Ghosts of Christmas Past)