Chanukah - The Festival of Lights

 The “Festival of Lights”, celebrated for eight days during the month of December, is best known by its Hebrew name: Chanukah. It is one of the most popular Jewish holidays, especially in Israel; even though it has no Biblical roots, and came into being based on events that occurred centuries after the stories of the Bible.
 The most eye-catching symbol of the festival is the lighting of the “chanukiyah”, an eight-branched candelabrum based on the Menorah that stood in the ancient temple in Jerusalem. Every evening of the holiday the chanukiyah is ceremoniously lit with an additional candle for each night, so that on the last night all eight candles are lit.
  In addition to a communal candle-lighting ceremony, many families will also light a chanukiyah in their homes. Some might use traditional olive oil, others perhaps will light wax candles, and still others may use electricity. The chanukiyah will usually be lit by the window for passers-by to see. On many kibbutzim, a huge chanukiyah is a permanent fixture on the roof of the dining-hall, or maybe at the very top of the grain silo, giving even greater publicity to the miracles and celebrations of Chanukah.

 What “miracle”? When? Why eight days? Why do Jews the world over, of all denominations, continue so avidly to celebrate events that happened over 2,000 years ago? Events that are not even mentioned in the Bible? Finally, what special significance does Chanukah have for Jews living in the Zionist State?
For some brief answers we must first know the events surrounding the birth of this very special festival.

Historical Background
 In the year 332 B.C.E. Alexander the Great captured the area of Palestine. His empire would within a few years include the entire civilized world, from Greece and Egypt in the west, stretching eastward as far as India.
 The Jewish community in Palestine at that time was relatively small and still recuperating from the exile to Babylon, about two-and-a-half centuries earlier. During those centuries, a gradual trickle of Jews from Babylon had returned to settle their Biblical homeland, living mostly in the vicinity of Jerusalem, where they had been permitted by the Persian authorities to build a new temple for their worship.
 Initially, the Jews in Palestine lived peacefully in the wake of the Greek conquests, despite the spread of Hellenistic culture which was threatening the existence of many local cultures throughout the empire. But around the year 200 B.C.E., the Seleucid faction of the empire, based in Syria, absorbed Palestine. King Antiochus IV was very adamant in replacing Jewish culture with Hellenism, and he eventually expelled the Jews from the Temple and converted it to a house of pagan idol-worship.
 In the year 167 B.C.E. the Jews of Palestine, led by Matityahu and his five sons, revolted against Greek oppression. After three years of guerilla warfare against a numerically superior enemy, the most prominent of the sons, Judah the Maccabee led his soldiers in the successful recapture of Jerusalem and the Temple mount. All symbols of paganism were removed, and the Jews renewed their ancient rituals.
 When they came to rekindle the seven-branched golden Menorah, they could not find any olive oil with which to light. According to Talmudic legend, they found hidden away a small vial of oil, barely enough to light the Menorah for one day. A miracle occurred, and the minute amount of oil burned continuously for eight days, just enough time for fresh oil to be brought to Jerusalem.
 On that winter day, on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, a holiday was proclaimed marking the renewed dedication of the Temple; hence the name “Chanukah”, or dedication. The celebration marked not only the victory of the Jews in preserving their national existence, but also of the survival of their unique spiritual life and culture.
 To this day, during the eight-day Chanukah holiday one might hear stories of bravery, military prowess, and heroism. Yet, the eternal symbol of the victory over Hellenism was not to be the sword or the spear, but the Menorah.

Celebrating Chanukah
 Since the Chanukiyah has eight branches representing the eight days of the holiday, the number 8 will take on significance beyond that of the communal candle-lighting ceremony. Some kibbutzim might host eight mini-festivals on a small scale, one on each night. More frequently, though, one night of the week will be set aside for a gala event on a grand scale, involving many members in the planning and performances. Usually, each of the eight candles will represent a particular aspect of kibbutz life, to be performed in song, dance, or comedy.
 Many kibbutzim stage a competition between the various branches to construct the most creative and original Chanukiyah. Don’t be surprised to see one made of chickens’ feed pans, another from miniscule plastic parts produced at the local factory, and still another consisting of huge half-ton bales of hay.
 Children are always a central part of the festivities, especially since they don’t have school all week. Chanukah is their winter vacation! (Remember: Christmas and New Years’ are not national holidays in Israel.) Chanukah is a great opportunity for the kids to go on organized trips, and the older they are the greater the challenge; from hiking the warmer areas of the Negev and Eilat, to skiing on the snow-covered Mt. Chermon.
 If you like sports check out when the local “Maccabiyah” games will be held. Sometimes an entire day will be devoted to individual competition and team sports, especially relay races. Here’s a great opportunity for you to meet new friends and feel a part of the community.

 Oh, and don’t forget the food! Most of Chanukah’s delicacies are baked, cooked or fried with plenty of oil. This is probably a throwback to “the miracle of the olive oil” at the time of the original Maccabees. So prepare your stomach and your palate for a festival of food --- if you can afford the calories!
 
 

A Brief Glossary of Chanukah Words
Chanukiyah / Menorah – The Menorah was an elaborate seven-branched candelabrum made of solid gold, which stood in the ancient Jewish Temple and was lit every day. To commemorate the glorious victories and the eight-day celebration of Chanukah, Jews through the ages would light a Chanukiyah of eight branches, modeled after the original Menorah. Artistic imagination was always allowed to run free, so that it’s rare to see two Chanukiyot that are exactly the same.
le-vi-vot – potato pancakes, usually fried;
Ma-oz Tzur – A most popular Chanukah song, it is usually sung as part of the candle-lighting ceremony each evening. It tells of many instances throughout history that the Jews were saved from oppression. (If you think it sounds like a Christmas carol, try singing it in unison with “Deck the Halls”!)
Merutz ha-lapid – a relay race using a torch instead of a baton;
S’vivon – a four-sided spinning-top used by children to play many different kinds of games;
Sufganiyot – jelly doughnuts; Be warned – on Chanukah they’re everywhere!
 

The Special Significance of Chanukah
 Since the inception of Zionism a century ago Chanukah has always had a certain symbolism unique to Jews living in Israel. Just as the Maccabees of old, the past generations have seen the results of the determination of Jews to be free in their own land.
Despite all odds and in the face of stronger and more numerous enemies, many battles have been fought on the path to independence. Many stories of heroism have been told, and many, too many people have given their lives so that Jews today can live freely in their own homeland.
Still, the purpose of the Chanukiyah is not to spread hate and fear, but to give light. Light to glow, light to see, to see the path, to beat a path to a better future; a future not of wars, but of light, a bright light; a beacon.
We are reminded of the words of the Biblical prophet Zachariah, who in his vision gazed wondrously at the Menorah of the Temple, to be told by the angel: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” Curiously enough, the Menorah in his vision was adorned on both sides with olive branches.
 olives --- which give us oil to light;
 olive branches --- a universal symbol of peace.

Perhaps the most appropriate conclusion should be with the lyrics of a popular children’s Chanukah song:

We have come to evict the darkness,
In our hands a fire so bright,
Each of us is a small candle
Together we are eternal light.
Disperse, oh black darkness,
Disperse! Here comes the light!
 

Written and edited by Mordy Stein
Kibbutz Holidays Institute – Beit Hashitta