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Chanukah（光明節）
Every year between the end of November and the end of December.Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah,the Festival of Lights.Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev,lasted for eight days,but the starting date on the western calendar va-ries from year to year.Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory which Jews reclaimed the Je-rusalem Temple 2300 years ago.
Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian king,Antiochus.The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God,their religion,their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods.There were some who did as they were told,but many refused.One who re-fused was Judah Maccabee.Judah and his four brothers formed an army.After three years of fighting.the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem The Maccabees cleaned the building and removed the Greek Statues.On the 25th day of the month of Kislev,the job was finished and the temple was rededicated.
When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple,they wanted to light the eternal light,known as the Ner Tamid,which is present in every Jewish house of worship.Once lit,the oil lamp should never be extinguished.
Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day.The oil lamp was filled and lit.Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day,but for eight days.The people had a torchlight parade in the Temple,which may also have contributed to the tradition of lighting candles on Chanukah.
In America,families celebrate Chanukah at home.They give and receive gifts,decorate the house,entertain friends and family,eat special foods,and light the holiday candles. |
