HANUKKAH, THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

by

Right Excellent Harold Kahn

Associate General Grand Chaplain

Royal Arch Masons International

The following is a brief description of the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah, its history, how it is observed as well as some of the traditions that are partaken.

First a little History:

Around 164 B.C.E. the Syrian Greeks under the rein of Antiochus Epiphanes, tried to get the Jews to worship the god Jupiter.  Circumcision and the observance of the Sabbath (the day of rest and prayer for Jews that begins at sunset on Fridays and lasts until sunset on Saturday) was outlawed.  He had the Temple desecrated by sacrificing swine at the altar, as well, as erecting idols in the sanctuary.  A small group of Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees (the word in Hebrew means hammer) resisted and ultimately defeated the might of the Syrian Greeks.  In December of that year the Maccabees returned to the Temple (according to the Hebrew calendar on the 25^th day of Kislev) restored and rededicated it.  When they went to light the Menorah (the candelabra), they found that there was only one days supply of oil.  (The Menorah is the oldest symbol in Judaism.)  It was the tradition to light the seven-branched Menorah in the Temple every evening and clean it every morning.  Replenishing it with fresh olive oil that was filled in the cups and new wicks were replaced.  This was done in accordance with the Biblical instructions as per Exodus 25:31-40.)  But, the oil lasted for eight days.  The eight day holiday of Hanukkah (it is also spelled Chanukah), the Festival of Lights, celebrates this miracle.  The story of Hanukkah was not included in the T’nach or Tanakh (the Hebrew Bible) but is in the books of the First and Second Maccabees.  The story was preserved by those that organized and assembled the Christian Bible and brought down to us through history.

Second the Observance:

A nine branch Menorah is lit during this holiday.  One branch for each day of the eight day holiday.  The ninth branch is known as the Shamash (the helper), which lights up the eight other candles.  On the first night two candles are placed in the Menorah.  One is for the first day and the other is the Shamash.  On the second night three candle are used.  Two for the second day and again the other for the Shamash.  This continues progressively through all eight nights.  There is a prescribed order in how the candles are lit, as well as what prayers are chanted each night.  The candles are placed in the Menorah always starting from left to right but are lit from right to left.

Third some Traditions:

A four sided top, a dreidel is used during this holiday in a traditional gambling game.  The Hebrew letters on the four sides form an acronym that stands for “A great miracle happened there”.  But the letters on the dreidel, one of the symbols used by the State of Israel, form instead the acronym “A great miracle happened here”.  Nowadays, when this game is played with children, the money (gelt) used is normally chocolate coins gold foil wrapped.  There is even a song that is sung about dreidels.

            The Dreidel Song

I have a little dreidel

I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready

Then dreidel I shall play!

(Chorus)

Oh dreidel, dreidel, dreidel
I made it out of clay
And when it's dry and ready
Then dreidel I shall play!

It has a lovely body

With legs so short and thin

And when my dreidel's tired

It drops and then I win!

(Chorus)

My dreidel's always playful

It loves to dance and spin

A happy game of dreidel

Come play now, let's begin!

(Chorus)

Another song that is sung, is about lighting the Menorah, dancing and eating.

            The Oh Hanukkah Song

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, come light the Menorah

Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora

Gather round the table, we'll all have a treat

Dreidels to play with, and latkes to eat.

And while we are playing

The candles are burning bright

One for each night, they shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago.

One for each night, they shed a sweet light

To remind us of days long ago