December 2, 2010 [5771]Named for the Hebrew word for “dedication,”
Chanukah commemorates the Maccabees’ defeat of
the Syrians, which led to liberation of the Jews and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. Chanukah also is known as the “Festival of Lights” because of the custom of lighting bright lights in celebration for eight days. Today, this is done most commonly by lighting candles in the nine-branched Chanukah menorah (chanukiyah); candles are inserted from right to left but lit from left to right.
Chanukah commemorates the Maccabees’ defeat of
the Syrians, which led to liberation of the Jews and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C.E. Chanukah also is known as the “Festival of Lights” because of the custom of lighting bright lights in celebration for eight days. Today, this is done most commonly by lighting candles in the nine-branched Chanukah menorah (chanukiyah); candles are inserted from right to left but lit from left to right.
Despite current belief, the eight-day festival was modeled after the eight-day celebrations for other holidays. The story of the “Chanukah miracle” (one day’s worth of oil burning for eight days) was not part of either I Maccabees or II Maccabees, the books that record the historical data about Chanukah but weren’t included in the final format of the Bible. It wasn’t until 500 C.E. that the story was incorporated into the Talmud.
Worship services will be available for listening live on the Emanu-El Web site, through the Emanu-El audio player after completion of the live service, or as podcasts. (MP3 files are available for one week after the service.)
- Listen to and learn the blessings as sung by Cantor Lori Corrsin:
Rabbi Posner stands by as Archbishop Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, lights the first candle of Chanukah on the menorah during the first night of the festival, which fell on the Sabbath of December 11, 2009. (Photo by Tina Fineberg/The Associated Press) Listen to the service » Back to Holy Days & Festivals
