We are a family that celebrates all holidays (Silver Lining). Tonight, the first night of Hanukkah, the menorah is out and the candles are in place waiting to be lit. It is so beautiful for me to see the HOTY pass on his family’s cultural and religious Hanukkah traditions.
Every year (??) I have to relearn the the (abbreviated version!) of Hanukkah. In Judaism, the word Hanukkah is derived from a Hebrew word meaning “dedication”. The holiday, lasting 8 days, is referred to as the “festival of lights”. Hanukkah commemorates the the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus of Syria and the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BCE. As legend has it, once the Temple was won, the Jews found only enough oil to keep the eternal flame of the menorah lit for one day. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred when that small amount sustained the menorah’s light for eight days, in order for more oil to be made. Now that’s a Silver Lining!
Happy Hanukkah to you and yours. It's so lovely that all the holidays are celebrated in your home. 🙂
Thanks so much, Catherine! We do like to keep things festive and it is loads of fun! 🙂