NYC Macy’s Day Parade. Nov. 28, 2013. A giant dreidel is shown. Photo is from The Times of Israel. By Tina Fineberg of AP. ( Reposted from 2013 on BF)
From The Times of Israel: “Jonathan Sarna, a professor of American Jewish History at Brandeis University and chief historian of the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia, said that despite its rarity, the connection between Hanukkah and Thanksgiving is much more natural than the more common seasonal convergence of Hanukkah and Christmas.”
“Thanksgiving is the most Jewish of American holidays,” Sarna told The Times of Israel. “It is centered on family and food, two motifs well-appreciated by Jews, and also celebrates giving thanks — a very Jewish notion.”
The menorah holds the candles for the 8 nights of Hanukkah: “The Festival of Lights.” The middle candle lights the others.
Hanukkah began on Wednesday evening (Nov.27) and will end after 8 days on Thursday evening (Dec 5). A candle is lit each night until the menorah is full.
Orthodox Jews and children light the 4th candle in Jerusalem during last year’s Hanukkah celebration. Photo is by AP and taken from Haaretz, an Israeli publication.
The story of Hanukkah is mostly about the rededication of the Holy Temple which had been defiled by the Greek rulers around 167 BC. The Jews were prevented from practicing their religion, so a group (the Maccabees) revolted and reclaimed the Temple. The lights in the temple, powered by a limited amount of olive oil, lasted for 8 days instead of one, and this was considered to be a miracle. Some sources say that the miracle also includes the unlikely military victory by the Maccabees. There is some debate ( a typical phenomenon) among Jews as to the exact significance of this holiday which is not mentioned in the Bible. Hannukah evolved after the Bible was created.
–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
KENNY ELLIS from his album Hanukkah Swings. This is a Latin version of “Ocho Kandelikas” (eight candles). Kenny sings this song in Ladino, a language that mixes Spanish with Hebrew. It evolved during the time when many Jews lived in Spain and thrived under both Christian and Muslim rule. They were expelled in 1492 by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.