Community Corner
Guest Column: The Meaning of Chanukah
Learn about the history and traditions of the Jewish celebration of Chanukah.
Chanukah, which celebrates the victory of a band of courageous farmer/fighters against the mighty Syrian-Greeks who occupied Judah in 164 CE, is first and foremost a celebration of religious freedom.
When the Syrians reconquered Judea in 167 CE, they looted the temple in Jerusalem, installed idols of their own gods and forbade the practice of Judaism.
The Jews, led by the Maccabean clan, revolted against this rule and fought for two hard years.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
In 165 CE, Judah Maccabee and his followers, who had succeeded in their revolt, liberated, cleansed and rededicated the temple. The old altars to the Greek gods were removed, a celebration was declared and the Jews once again practiced their religion.
The story that has been passed down is that when the Jews went to relight the Menorah, there was only one jar of pure oil left in the temple. Getting fresh oil would take eight days. However, the one jar of oil lasted the full eight days until the new supply was ready. That is why Jews light candles for eight nights—to remember miracle of the one jar of oil that lasted eight days.
Find out what's happening in Los Gatoswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
One of the best known customs of Chanukah is related to food. Jews eat potato pancakes (latkes) cooked in oil or jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) deep fried in oil. In both cases, the use of oil for cooking is significant; it is used to commemorate the miracle of the small jar of oil that kept the flame in the temple alight for eight days.
The exchange of gifts that American Jews participate in is a more recent phenomenon, designed to keep Jewish children from feeling left out by Christmas.
Because Jews mark the date of the holiday on the Hebrew calendar, which is different from the Gregorian calendar that most Americans follow, the holiday moves around during the month of December. This year, the first night of Chanukah is Dec. 20, 2011.
Everyone is welcome to join in the Chanukah service and celebration at Congregation Shir Hadash at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23. The temple is located at 20 Cherry Blossom Lane, Los Gatos.
Happy Chanukah everyone.
