The Jewish community celebrates the festival of Rededication also known as the festival of lights for eight days beginning on the 25the day of the Jewish month. This festival is known as Chanukkah. Although it is not as significant as other Jewish festivals like Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot etc., yet it is popular as it occurs close to Christmas.
The history of this festival belongs to the era under the rule of Alexander the Great. He was the most powerful ruler the world had seen. He conquered the kingdoms of Syria, Palestine and Egypt but allowed the people of those regions to follow their own religions. During this time the Hellenistic Culture was adopted by many Jews. But after a hundred years when Antiochus IV came to power, he began to oppress the Jews. He placed a Hellenistic priest in the temple and prohibited the practice of Jewish religion. He also offered sacrifice of pigs to annoy the Jews. This caused two groups to be formed in the region which opposed the practice of Antiochus IV. The first group was headed by Mattathias and his son and the second group was known as the Chasidim. Both these groups revolted against the oppression of the Jews at the hands of the Greek government. They were successful in their revolt and finally rededicated the Temple. This happened in the year 165 BC. The twenty fifth of the Jewish month, Kislev is celebrated every year to commemorate this event.
The story goes that at the time of rededication an eternal flame had to be lit but it was found out that only a little oil was left as the rest had been defiled by the Greeks. The new oil would take a week to be prepared. But the flame burned through the eight days miraculously with that little oil. Therefore this festival is celebrated for eight days.
The Jews celebrate this festival by lighting candles arranged in a candelabrum which is also known as the menorah or the Chanukkiah. This candle holder can hold nine candles. One candle for each night of the eight days and the ninth one is called Shammus and it is placed at a greater height than the rest of the candles. The prayers are offered along with the lighting of the candles.
In some places the tradition of gifting is also followed. It is mainly because of the influence of Christmas. Mostly a small amount of money known as the “gelt” is exchanged as the traditional gift. A gambling game known as Dreidel is also played. The stakes offered in the game are chocolate coins, pennies or matchsticks.
Because of the miraculous oil incident, people prepare and eat fried foods on this day. The most popular food is Latkes which are made from potatoes.
It would it noteworthy that the festival is not celebrated to mark the victory of Jews over Greeks as Jews have never believed in violence and in glorifying war. Rather it is the miraculous oil event that makes it a religious event worth celebrating.
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