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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. The second full day of Hanukkah begins on Thursday, and although the festival of lights takes place during a festive and family oriented time of year, the holiday did not always hold the same significance as it does today.
Rabbi Jennifer Jaech, of Temple Israel of Northern Westchester in Croton-on-Hudson, said the festival of lights is not as important a religious holiday as many others on the Jewish calendar. Other, less well known holidays hold more religious significance. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are much more important than Hanukkah, she said, even the holiday that comes every week, Shabbat, is a bigger deal.
Its one of the newer holidays, meaning that its a little over 2,000 years old, and its the only holiday that has its origins as a celebration of a military victory, said Jaech.
The holiday commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Greeks, after the Greeks attempted to outlaw Jewish religious practices. The Maccabees eventually overthrew the rule of the Seleucid monarchy, and began the rededication of the Second Temple in the Land of Judea.
According to the Talmud, the miracle of the oil took place during the rededication of the Second Temple, which was desecrated by the Seleucids. Oil which was only supposed light the menorah for one night lasted for eight.
In my view, I think it became popularized because along with the celebration of this military victory, it was celebrating the right of religious determination. The custom of kindling lights in the home is what gave it its staying power, the Hanukkah menorah is just another form of this light, said Jaech.
In this time of overconsumption it might be something good to have something small, she said about the oil, that didnt appear to be enough, and something small can become something big.
As a point of contrast, Jaech said that during her year in Israel she noticed stark differences in how the month of December is treated. You see Hanukkah menorahs in every window, and sufganiyot in the air, sufoganiyot is similar to a jelly donut, and if I recall correctly the schools are closed during Hanukkah, but theres not a major gift giving time. She also said her son attended school on December 25.
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