All About Hanukkah Jewish Holiday

• What is Hanukah Festival?

There are many Jewish Holidays and Hanukah is one of them. Derived from a Hebrew word, Hanukah means ‘Dedication.’ Also, this is known as the Festivals of lights.’ The celebration of Hanukkah Jewish Holiday begins with lighting candles and menorah. It has started two centuries ago, prior to the beginning of Christianity. As per the Western Calendar, Hanukkah is celebrated either in November or December.

 

• Story behind Hanukah

The story of Hanukah begins over 2500 years ago when a Syrian King, Antiochus tried to make the people (Jewish) worship the God of Greeks. In the Jewish temple, Antiochus statue was put up and the Jewish people were ordered to bow before the statue. However, there were 1-0 commandants who prohibit people to worship idol or statue. A small group of people known as Maccabees revolted and soon after three long year war, Maccabees summoned up Jerusalem from the Syrians. But in between, the temple was brutally destroyed.

However, the Jewish cleaned and repaired the temple and rededicated the God. Since then, they light the lamp called Menorah, which was a symbol of the God being there. A small jar of oil was however, enough for a day, but the miraculous lamp stayed alight for about 8 days. Since then, Hanukkah Jewish Holiday has become an important occasion of the Jewish People.

• How is Hanukah celebrated?

Hanukah is one of the most popular Jewish Holidays and celebrated by lightening a single candle on the Hanukiah, which is an 8-stemmed candelabrum, each day. This candelabrum symbolizes how God looked after the Jewish problem during their difficult time.

To make the holiday celebration enjoyable special games are also played. These games are the major source of enjoyment

• Games Played in Hannukah

Moreover, many games are played to celebrate this occasion. One of the most common games, Jewish people love to play is ‘Dreidels.’ This game is a sort of spinning contest here a top having four sides is spun and the loser and winner of the gambling chips are based on the direction top lands. You can make chips of different things as per your interest. People generally prefer chocolate covered raisins as it caters to two purposes, as a treat and as a game piece. For non-winner also, the chocolate covered raisins help to satisfy the hunger.

To understand more about the Jewish Holidays and other important aspect of Judaism, there are many institutes that can help you with in-depth studies of the Jewish faith. The Messianic Jewish Bible Institute (MJBI) is one of such names. Formed in 1995 and launched in 1996 by Gentile Christian Leaders and Messianic Jews, the institute will help you to get a deep analysis of Jewish faith. For more details you can visit.