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| History of Hanukkah
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Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar (which is November-December
on the Gregorian calendar). In Hebrew, the word "Hanukkah" means "dedication."
About 250 years after these events, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote his account of the origins of the holiday. Josephus referred to
the holiday as the Festival of Lights and not as Hanukkah. Josephus seems to be connecting the newfound liberty that resulted from the events with the image of
light, and the holiday is still often referred to by the title Josephus gave it.
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By the early rabbinic period about a century later--at the time that the Mishnah (the first compilation of oral rabbinic law included in the Talmud) was redacted-
-the holiday had become known by the name of Hanukkah (“Dedication”). However, the Mishnah does not give us any details concerning the rules and customs associated with the holiday.
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It is in the Gemara (a commentary on the Mishnah) of the Babylonian Talmud that we are given more details
and can clearly see the development of both the holiday and the stories associated with it. The discussion of Hanukkah is mentioned in
Tractate Shabbat. Only three lines are devoted to the events of Hanukkah while three pages detail when, where, and how the Hanukkah lights
should be lit.
Completed approximately 600 years after the events of the Maccabees, the Talmud contains the extant version of the famous story of the miraculous
jar of oil that burned for eight days. The Talmud relates this stories in the context of a discussion about the fact that fasting and grieving are
not allowed on Hanukkah. In order to understand why the observance of Hanukkah is so important, the Rabbis recount the story of the miraculous jar
of oil.
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Perhaps the Amoraim--the sages of the Talmud--were retelling an old oral legend in order to associate the
holiday with what they believed to be a blatant, supernatural miracle. Although the seemingly miraculous victory of the Maccabees
over the Syrian Greeks was certainly part of the holiday narrative, this event still lies within the natural human realm. The Rabbis
may have felt this to be insufficient justification for the holiday’s gaining the legal stature that would prohibit fasting and include
the saying of certain festival prayers. Therefore the story of a supernatural event centering on the oil--a miracle--would unquestionably
answer any concerns about the legitimacy of celebrating the holiday.
Hanukkah gained new meaning with the rise of Zionism. As the early pioneers in Israel found themselves fighting to defend against attacks,
they began to connect with the ancient Jewish fighters who stood their ground in the same place. The holiday of Hanukkah, with its positive
portrayal of the Jewish fighter, spoke to the reality of the early Zionists who felt particularly connected to the message of freedom and liberty.
Hanukkah is a festive family occasion, with special foods and songs. Children generally receive small gifts or money, known as Hanukkah gelt (money),
each evening after the candles are lit. Foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts, commemorate the miracle of the oil. Sweet
foods also are popular, and children may receive chocolate coins in place of Hanukkah gelt. Songs also play a part in the festivities and remind the
family of the events commemorated.
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