#7: Sacred Holidays in Judaism - Hanukkah
What was the source of the conflict between the Greeks and the Jews in 167 BCE?
In 167 BCE Antiochus (a Greek king ) ordered an altar to Zeus erected in a Jewish temple in Jerusalem. He banned circumcision and ordered pigs to be sacrificed at the altar of the temple (the sacrifice of pigs to the Greek gods was standard ritual practice in the Ancient Greek religion. Pigs are considered dirty to Jews).
Who is the most famous son of Mattathias?
Judah Maccabee (Judas Maccabeus) How did he get his nickname?
Judah led a rebellion against Antiochus. By 166 BCE Mattathias had died, and Judah took his place as leader. Judah became known as Yehuda HaMakabi ("Judah the Hammer"). By 165 BCE the Jewish revolt led by Judah was successful.
What does the picture above mean?
The above picture means that because of Judas Maccabeus leading the successful Jewish Revolt against Antiochus, the celebration of Hanukkah was put in place to celebrate the liberation and rededication of the Temple.
What does Hanukkah celebrate?
The Temple was liberated and rededicated. The festival of Hanukkah was instituted to celebrate this event. Judah ordered the Temple to be cleansed, a new altar to be built in place of the polluted one and new holy vessels to be made.
How long is Hanukkah? Why?
According to the Talmud, unadulterated and undefiled pure olive oil with the seal of the kohen gadol (high priest) was needed for the menorah in the Temple, which was required to burn throughout the night every night. The story goes that one flask was found with only enough oil to burn for one day, yet it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of kosher oil for the menorah. An eight-day festival was declared by the Jewish sages to commemorate this miracle.
Why does a Hanukkah menorah have nine candles?
The Hanukkah menorah has nine candles to celebrate the eight days of the celebration and the ninth is just for light.
What is the difference between a Hanukkah menorah and a Temple menorah?
A Hanukkah menorah has nine candle spots where as the Temple menorah only has seven and is a ancient symbol of Judaism.
