Hanukkah
celebrates the physical victory over 2000 years ago of the Maccabees over the army of Antiochus. But it also celebrates the Maccabee's spiritual victory against the influence of a foreign culture and practices on Jewish life. This winter holiday - when the days are the shortest and nights are long and dark - is celebrated for eight days, beginning with candle lighting at sunset each of the nights. |
A great overview video!
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Which day?
For Hanukkah, this is an easy question to answer ... it begins in the evening on the 25th of the Hebrew month of Kislev and lasts for eight nights and days! But because the Jewish calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the corresponding secular date moves from year to year.
Unless your general calendar specifically says that the first Hanukkah candle is lit on a given night, it is helpful to double-check the holiday's start on this Hebrew calendar - you'll always be right! |
Hanukkah -
wide-angle lens Click below to learn more about the holiday from a wide-angle lens.
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Hanukkah -
close-up lens Click below to learn more about the holiday with a close-up lens - symbols and rituals.
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Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JECC)
www.jecc.org
www.jecc.org