Hanukkah either Janucá It is one Jewish celebration which in Hebrew means dedication and lasts eight days. This holiday is also known as Festival of Lights or Luminaires, Dedication celebration either Maccabees celebration.
The light is the protagonist of the Hanukkah Since thanks to her, this Jewish miracle was carried out. According to tradition, in the second century BC. C. in Jerusalem a fact occurred that the community has celebrated year after year.
During the rebellion of the Maccabeesin which Jews They recovered their freedom against the Syrian-Rrigue Second temple of Jerusalem In 160 a. of C. the lamp that lighting the temple had pure ritually for one day; However, she was lit during the eight days that the holiday now lasts.
Others associate the celebration with the martyrdom of Hannah and his seven children, whom the Antiochus IV King asked to eat pig. Hannah refused respecting Jewish law and thus, the governor tortured her and executed with her seven children.
When Hannukkah is celebrated
Every year this holiday is held in the Third month of the Hebrew lunar calendarfrom Kislev 25what for the Gregorian calendar means celebrating it at the end of November or early December. As its date is not fixed, it can sometimes coincide with Thanksgiving and other times with Christmas.
This year Hanukkah begins on December 18 and ends on December 26.
How Hannukkah is celebrated
To remember it and celebrate the victory of light over darkness, during this holiday a candlestick known as Januquía with nine arms It remains on for the eight days. The eight arms on each side represent the days of the miracle, while the middle arm is known as Shamash or servant and is used to light the rest of the lights.
Families read the sacred texts, donate money to support religious or expression freedom under the motto Tikún Olam or sing special hymns of this holiday. In addition, there are traditional games such as Dreidel, a type of pyrinola or spin that has Hebrew letters whose acronym celebrates the miracle that is the main reason for the meeting; In this game, nuts or sweets are betting.
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Hannukkah gifts
During Hannukah There are also gifts. Children usually receive gifts every night. Sometimes they can be chocolate or money coins. Adults usually give Jewish or candles cooking books.
Hannukkah food
Frita food is also a protagonist of the holiday, this because the oil that lighting the Second temple during the eight days. Latkes (fried potatoes of potatoes and onion), fritters and suffganiyot (a type of dona), stand out as the most popular.