Fun Facts About Hanukkah
The Jewish Festival of Lights, Hanukkah, commemorates the 164 BCE victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian forces and the subsequent miracle of a single container of oil lasting for eight days in the rededicated Temple. The centerpiece of the celebration is the Hanukkiah, a nine-branched candelabra distinguished from the seven-branched Temple Menorah. One special candle, the Shamash (helper), is used to light the other eight, ensuring the holy lights remain set apart from everyday use. This tradition is fundamentally rooted in pirsumei nisa (publicizing the miracle), dictating that the…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.