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Hanukkah

Judaism

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Learning objectives

What we will learn in this presentation:

When Hanukkah is celebrated

What the festival commemorates

How Hanukkah is celebrated today

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What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of light, and is the most public of Jewish festivals. It lasts eight days and is celebrated between late November and December each year, depending on the Hebrew Calendar. This year Hanukkah is 8th–16th December.

What do you already know about Hanukkah?

Do you know what these objects are?

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The Hanukkah story

In around 200 BCE, the Syrian Greeks occupied the Jewish holy lands, taking over the Temple and outlawing Judaism. Those refusing to bow down to the Greek gods faced death, forcing the Jewish religion into secrecy.

A model of the second Jewish Temple (515 BCE–70CE)

They reclaimed the Temple and removed the Greek statues, but they found only enough oil to light the menorah for one day. They re-dedicated the temple to God and lit the menorah. Miraculously, it stayed alight for eight days and eight nights.

A small Jewish army known as the Maccabees (‘hammers’) rose up against the Greek army. Despite being greatly outnumbered, they were eventually victorious.

Hanukkah celebrates this rededication of the Temple and the miracle there.

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During Hanukkah special foods are eaten, such as latkes and doughnuts. Families donate money to charity and children are given gifts, money and cards. Games are also played with a dreidel.

Celebrating Hanukkah

Jewish families will often display a menorah in a prominent place like their front window or doorway. On each day of the festival one more light on the menorah is lit. Light is a key symbol at Hanukkah.

What do you think the light symbolizes?

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True or false?