“DEDICATION” the meaning of HANUKKAH an eight-day wintertime celebration during which Jews commemorate a miracle that occurred more than 2,000 years ago. Hanukkah is a reminder that it’s up to each of us to be a light in the darkness, and even a little light can go a long way. At that time, Syrian-Greek leaders had banned the practice of Judaism and subsequently destroyed the Jews’ temples. A group of 40 Jews known as the Maccabees decided to rebel and rose up to defeat a Syrian army of 40,000. After the dust settled, the Jews rushed to rededicate their ruined temple in Jerusalem by lighting a menorah, or candelabrum. In the vast destruction, however, they found only enough oil to last one day. The miracle of Hanukkah is that the oil burned brightly not for one night, but eight full days—exactly the length of time necessary to produce more oil. Hanukkah primarily celebrates the miracle of the burning oil, not the act of war. During this Festival of Lights, families light the menorah, recite blessings and enjoy symbolic games like dreidel (a spinning top) and foods like Sufganiah (jelly-filled donuts) and “The tradition of giving money (Chanukah gelt) Hanukkah therefore is a lighthearted festival filled with rich traditions, many of which include food, fun, family and friends and One thing that every Hanukkahcelebration has in common is the gelt. The word “gelt” means “money” in both Hebrew and Yiddish. “The tradition of giving money (Chanukah gelt) to children is of long standing. The custom had its origin in the 17th-century practice with the Jews in Poland to give money to their small children for distribution to their teachers. In time, as children demanded their due, money was also given to children to keep for themselves. Teenage boys soon came in for their share. In the 18th century, it was the custom for poor yeshiva students to visit homes of Jewish benefactors who dispensed Chanukah money (Orach Chaim 670). The rabbis approved of the custom of giving money on Chanukah because it publicized the story of the miracle of the oil.
Smadar A. CEO Global Consulting Genève Switzerland
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