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Post by sharon on Nov 27, 2011 21:37:41 GMT -6
Chanukah is a minor Jewish holiday that usually falls in December. It celebrates the military victory of the Jews over the Greek-Assyrians, who ruled where Israel now is, at the time. The story takes place for about 10 years ending about 165 BCE. The Greek-Assyrian king, Antiochus, tried to force the Jews to abandon our faith and to pray to Greek statues, as they did. The Jews, though greatly out-weaponed and out-numbered, prevailed, ensuring the survival of Judaism. At it's core Chanukah is about religious freedom - being true to one's beliefs and G-d and not abandoning that whatever those in power might do.
It is celebrated with food (of course!), a home ritual, giving (traditionally) small gifts or treats. Food - Latkes, which are potato pancakes. Also chocolate coins, called gelt. Ritual - The lighting of the Chanukiyah, or "menorah," which is a 9 branch candelabra.
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Post by apryllraye87 on Nov 28, 2011 7:35:36 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing. I love hearing about different holidays and traditions. We are not Jewish but growing up my mom always wanted us to learn about different cultures and one year we celebrated Chanukah instead of Christmas. I was pretty young but I remember making latkes, lighting the menorah and playing a game with the dice (I believe it's called a dreidel?). It was a great experience!
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Post by irish on Nov 28, 2011 8:42:39 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing, Sharon! I honestly didn't know the history behind Chanukah, it's really interesting!
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Post by JazzyMaxie on Nov 28, 2011 9:37:22 GMT -6
Happy Chanukah!
I know that you told us before, but can you tell us again...I forgot....why is it sometimes spelled with an "H" and sometimes spelled with a "C"?
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Post by anokamom on Nov 28, 2011 10:29:13 GMT -6
Happy Chanukah Sharon!
Thanks again for sharing and for the education! Your posts came in handy recently when my son asked a question about judaism and I felt so great about being able to answer his question. (he was very impressed with the level of my intelligence-LOL)
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Post by sharon on Nov 28, 2011 14:13:12 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing. I love hearing about different holidays and traditions. We are not Jewish but growing up my mom always wanted us to learn about different cultures and one year we celebrated Chanukah instead of Christmas. I was pretty young but I remember making latkes, lighting the menorah and playing a game with the dice (I believe it's called a dreidel?). It was a great experience! Yes, the game is called dreidel and is actually played with a 4-sided top. The top has letters on each side and which letter faces up when it falls tells you whether you gain some of whatever you are playing with or lose some. People often play with candy or nuts, but pennies are sometimes used as well.
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Post by sharon on Nov 28, 2011 14:16:43 GMT -6
Happy Chanukah! I know that you told us before, but can you tell us again...I forgot....why is it sometimes spelled with an "H" and sometimes spelled with a "C"? :)Because there is no right way to spell a word in English that isn't English. That first sound is one that does not exist in English - is it a sound in the back of your throat, kind of like you are clearing your throat. So some people spell words with that sound with an H and some with a CH. I prefer the CH, since there is no "ch" sound in Hebrew, but there is a "h" sound, so I think it's less confusing. But, as I said there isn't really a "right" way to spell it when it's not in English, so any of the following could be used (and probably more I'm not thinking of): Chanukah Hanukah Hanuka Chanuka Channukah Hannukah Channuka Hannuka Chanukkah Chanukah Hanukkah Hanukah
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Post by sharon on Nov 28, 2011 14:17:24 GMT -6
Claire and Anoka - thanks for taking the time to read and respond! I appreciate it.
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Post by bumblebee23 on Nov 28, 2011 14:22:57 GMT -6
Thanks that actually explains a little more of what I was trying to teach my son the other day. He asked me if everyone celebrated Christmas and I explained to him that other religions celebrate other things and tried to explain what Chanukah was but didn't know why it was celebrated!
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Post by nevaehsmom327 on Nov 28, 2011 14:44:19 GMT -6
**like** Thanks for sharing
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Post by sharon on Nov 28, 2011 15:15:56 GMT -6
Thanks that actually explains a little more of what I was trying to teach my son the other day. He asked me if everyone celebrated Christmas and I explained to him that other religions celebrate other things and tried to explain what Chanukah was but didn't know why it was celebrated! I also think the important point is that while we happen to have a minor holiday that falls in December most years, it is just that - a minor holiday that falls in December most years. It is not our holiday season. It is not an important holiday. And it has no relation to Christmas other than its proximity on the calendar. I think the biggest myth that circulates about Chanukah is that it's a major holiday. Some other cultures and religions DO have major holidays in the winter and some do not.
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Post by dara1012 on Nov 28, 2011 20:28:49 GMT -6
Thanks for the education. I always appreciate when you share information about the Jewish holidays....especially your major ones. I love hearing about your family's celebration and rituals.
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Post by apryllraye87 on Nov 29, 2011 7:12:51 GMT -6
Thanks for sharing. I love hearing about different holidays and traditions. We are not Jewish but growing up my mom always wanted us to learn about different cultures and one year we celebrated Chanukah instead of Christmas. I was pretty young but I remember making latkes, lighting the menorah and playing a game with the dice (I believe it's called a dreidel?). It was a great experience! Yes, the game is called dreidel and is actually played with a 4-sided top. The top has letters on each side and which letter faces up when it falls tells you whether you gain some of whatever you are playing with or lose some. People often play with candy or nuts, but pennies are sometimes used as well. Yes a TOP.. that's the word I was looking for, not sure where dice came from lol. When we played we used candies.
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Post by sharon on Nov 17, 2012 22:38:59 GMT -6
Chanukah 2012 is December 8-16.
Next year it starts the night before Thanksgiving!
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Post by sharon on Nov 17, 2013 17:22:30 GMT -6
This year Chanukah is the earliest it's ever been in my life - and never will be this early again. It begins on Wednesday night, November 27th - the day before Thanksgiving!
Which means the holiday is more than half over by the time Thanksgiving weekend is over. Kinda weird! But we are embracing it.
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