The 2nd century before our time, the epoch of the Second Temple…. Ancient Judea is part of the Seleucid Empire. This time was a hard trial for the Jewish people: the policy of total assimilation, the Greek culture and religion, a ban for studying the Torah and for obeying the mitzvah (commandments). The veneration of images… In the Temple, at the place of the Pure Gold iMenorah A Menorah is a seven-branch lampstand, the ancient symbol of Judaism, one of the key elements of the emblem of the state Israel. , there is a sculpture of Zeus. This is time of Hellenism for many Jews: many but not all….
The iMaccabean Revolt The Maccabean Revolt was the revolt of the Jews against the Seleucid Empire, which took place in the 2nd century before our time. The name is derived from the name of the revolt leader Judas Maccabaeus. against the Seleucid Empire, purification of the Temple, a vessel of ritually pure olive oil, sealed by the High Priest and hidden in the ground… The amount of oil was sufficient only to keep firs on the Menorah for one night. Yet, a miracle happened: the menorah was lit for eight days with it, until new ritually pure oil was prepared.
The 19th century, the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the first month of winter. The holiday of Fires, the iHanukkah Hanukkah s a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. holiday, is celebrated in a ishtetl A shtetl (pl. shtetlekh) is a half-town – half-village settlement in Eastern Europe with prevailing Jewish population from the second half of the 18th century to the beginning of WWII (1939).. For eight days, on a chair in a doorway, on the left side of the person coming, opposite the iMezuzah A Mezuzah is a piece of parchment (always contained in a decorative case) with prayers installed on a doorpost., an eight-branch Menorah, a iHanukkiah Hanukkiah is an eight-branch lampstand, the main symbol of the Hanukkah holiday., is burning. Forty-four candles, eight lamps and the ninth lamp, the shamash assistant. In the first evening, one candle is lit, on the second evening, two candles will be burning, ... until all the eight candle burn on the eighth evening. Adults tell the children about the miracle of the pitcher of oil and explain how to light the candles properly.
The 21 century, modern Israel, the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the Hanukkah celebration. As darkness comes, large and small hanukkiahs are lit on the squares and in the malls, in synagogues and in people’s homes. Adults tell the children about the miracle of the pitcher of oil and explain how to light the candles properly…..
