Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
3:21 pm Saturday, December 8, 2001

Message of the Week…
Test your knowledge on Hanukkah

By By David Shapiro/Special to The Star
Dec. 8, 2001
A few questions and answers concerning Hanukkah:
Who celebrates Hanukkah?
The people who observe the Jewish religion.
What is celebrated at Hanukkah?
In 164 B.C., Judas Maccabees and his song rebelled and led a successful revolt against the secular Greeks in Jerusalem in ancient Israel.
The second temple, built on the site of the first temple of Solomon was destroyed in the fighting. One of the most important symbols of Judaism in the second temple was the "eternal light," a lamp that was supposed to burn continuously to symbolize God's presence. Upon clearing the second temple, Maccabees and the Jewish troops found the light burning, but with only enough of the sacred oil needed to keep it lit for a day or more.
More sacred oil was sent for, but it was eight days before it arrived. Miraculously, the small amount of oil originally found lasted the eight days until it was replenished. The festival of Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of the eternal light burning for those eight days.
When is Hanukkah celebrated?
Because the date is based on the lunar calendar, Hanukkah is usually celebrated on eight days each December. This year, it begins at sundown Sunday and continues through Dec. 17
Where is Hanukkah celebrated?
Predominately, Hanukkah is celebrated in the individual Jewish homes. No special services or observations are held in the synagogue.
How is the festival of Hanukkah observed?
Besides lighting the Menorah (candelabra), gifts are given, especially to children. Traditionally, one gift for each night of the holiday is given. Special foods are prepared and eaten, including hamantaschens (cake) and potato latkes.
Why is Hanukkah given such prominence by the Jewish?
Hanukkah was raised to be a major holiday in the past century to compete with the Christian Christmas, which occurs at the same time of the year. However, Hanukkah is not the "Jewish Christmas" some have tried to portray it to be. The two holidays have nothing in common, except they sometimes overlap during December.
In observance of Hanukkah, Jewish people light the Menorah one candle for each night of the holiday plus the shamus, the candle which lights the other candles. There is no "Hanukkah bush" or nativity scene. Christmas and Hanukkah should not be confused. Hanukkah, the festival of lights, is completely a Jewish holiday of peace and gift-giving for Jewish people universally.
David Shapiro is a member of Temple Beth Israel.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025