Chanukah

Chanukah, “Dedication,” commemorates the triumphant rededication of the Temple on the 25th of Kislev, 165 BCE. The Maccabean victory against the assimilationist forces of the ruling Hellenistic culture insured the cultural-religious survival of Judaism. It may be the first battle for religious pluralism. The rabbinic story of Chanukah tells of the Jews returning to the Temple and finding only one day’s worth of oil for the ner tamid, the eternal lamp. However, a miracle happened, and the oil lasted for eight days, enough time to make more oil. Also known as Hag Ha-Orim, “The Festival of Lights,” we celebrate by lighting the candles of the Chanukah menorah on each of the eight nights of the festival. We often give gifts and eat foods like potato latkes and sufganiyot (donuts) that contain oil, an allusion to the story of the miracle of Chanukah.

Every year, Dorshei Emet celebrates Chanukah together with a joyous community Chanukah party.