Contrary to what some of y'all may think 'The Jewess' DOES NOT celebrate Christmas although I have been known to partake in festivities with my non-Jewish friends.
Oh, and Chanukah is NOT the Jewish Christmas.
On Christmas Day I usually go out to a movie and dinner with my Jew Crew. I spend Christmas eve with my Roman Catholic friends (Italian style seafood & pasta dinner).
Chanukah is known as 'the festival of lights', commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a successful revolt against the Selucid Greeks. As part of the rededication, the victorious Jews needed to light the Temple's menorah (candelabrum), but they had only enough oil to last one day and it would take eight days to prepare more oil. Miraculously, the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days. The miracle of the oil is commemorated with this eight-day candle-lighting holiday.
This is why Jews celebrate Chanukah, to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The word Chanukah means 'rededication'.
In my family we give and receive gifts, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday menorah.
Chanukah begins four days before the new moon, which is the darkest night of the month. Kislev (on the Jewish calendar) the month in which Chanukah takes place, it is also close to the winter solstice, which is the longest -- and darkest -- month of the year.
The only ritual associated with Chanukah is lighting the candles on the Chanukiah (menorah).
Like many other faiths, the Jewish holiday of Chanukah brings light into the darkest time of the year.
Chanukah is one of the least religiously significant holidays in the Jewish calendar.
The most important thing to remember about Chanukah is that it is NOT Jewish Christmas, no matter what the card shops and toy stores want you to believe.
I wish you all a happy, healthy and loving Chanukah.
Chag Chanukah Sameach!
KY"
Voli Vas Silvana!
Silvana, with Love!
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