Celebrating the Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights coincides with the Christmas week this year.

The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah begins on the evening of Dec. 24, and ends on the evening of Jan. 1.

The eight-day celebration commemorates the “miracle” of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., when Israel was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who massacred thousands of people and desecrated the city’s holy Second Temple; they also outlawed Judaism and forced Jews to worship Greek gods.

Ancient sources recount that leaders of a Jewish rebel army, called the Maccabees, rose up against their Syrian-Greek oppressors. The uprising lasted three years until the Maccabees seized Jerusalem and retook control of the Second Temple.

According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s most central texts, the Maccabees sought to light the temple’s menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum), but found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Syrian-Greeks. The one-day supply of oil, however, kept the candles flickering for eight nights.

Observances
The main religious observance to the holiday is lighting a nine-branched menorah, known in Hebrew as a hanukiah. On each of the holiday’s eight nights, another candle is added to the menorah after sundown; the ninth candle, called the shamash (helper), is used to light the others. Jews typically recite blessings during the ritual and display the menorah prominently in a window as a reminder to others of the holiday-inspired miracle.

Traditional Hanukkah Foods
It is traditional to eat fried foods during Hanukkah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among the most popular dishes are potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiot (deep-fried doughnuts). Brisket is often served as a main course; it is also customary to consume dairy foods during Hanukkah.

Other customs

• Playing with a dreidel: On Hanukkah, it is customary to play with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top bearing Hebrew letters that serve as an acronym for “a great miracle happened there.” The game is usually played for a pot of coins, nuts or other prizes; it is won or lost based on which letter the dreidel lands when it’s spun.
• Offering gelt: It is also a tradition to offer gelt (gifts of money) to children during the festival as a reward for positive behavior and devotion to Torah (Jewish Bible) study. The custom has since spawned the phenomenon of silver and gold foil-covered chocolate gelt coins.

Hanukkah events listing:

Light Up The Night Chanukah Street Fair
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass (by Dillard’s), 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
When: Dec. 27 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
For information, call (813) 642-3244, or visit ChabadatWiregrass.com.

Kol Ami Hanukkah Party
Where: Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa
When: Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m.
The event is free of charge; reservations are required. For information, call (813) 962-6338, or email .

Mekor Shalom’s fourth annual Hanukkah Party
Where: Congregation Mekor Shalom, 14005A N. Dale Mabry Highway
When: Dec. 27 at 6:30 p.m.
For information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Lights & Latkes Hanukkah Potluck Dinner
Where: Congregation Beth Am, 2030 W. Fletcher Ave.
When: Dec. 30 at 6 p.m.
For information, call (813) 968-8511, or visit BethAmTampa.org.

Published December 21, 2016