Hanukkah Begins At Sundown Tonight

Observant Jews in the Southland will begin lighting candles at sundown today to mark the first night of Hanukkah, the eight-day “Festival of Lights” commemorating the Maccabees’ victory over a larger Syrian army in 165 B.C.

Once the Jews defeated the Hellenist Syrian forces of Antiochus IV at the end of a three-year rebellion, the temple in Jerusalem, which the occupiers had dedicated to the worship of Zeus, was rededicated by Judah Maccabee, who led the insurgency begun by his father, the high priest Mattathias.

Maccabee and his soldiers, who wanted to light the temple’s ceremonial lamp with ritually pure olive oil as part of their rededication, found only enough oil to burn for one day. However, in what was regarded as a miracle, the oil burned for eight days.

Hanukkah — which means dedication in Hebrew — is observed around the world by lighting candles in a Hanukkah menorah each day at sundown for eight days, with an additional candle added each day.

The reason for the lights is so passers-by should see them and be reminded of the holiday’s miracle.

Other Hanukkah traditions include spinning a dreidel, a four-sided top, which partially commemorates a game that Jews under Greek domination played to camouflage their Torah study, and eating foods fried in olive oil, such as potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts.

Children receive Hanukkah “gelt” (the Yiddish word for money) from parents and grandparents. The tradition originated with 17th century Polish Jews giving money to their children to give their teachers during Hanukkah, which led to parents also giving children money.

In the United States, the practice has evolved into a gift-giving holiday to prevent Jewish children from feeling left out of Christmas gift- giving.

Unlike the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, or Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, observant Jews are permitted to work and attend school during Hanukkah. It is the only Jewish holiday that commemorates a military victory.

“Hanukkah has blossomed into a major Jewish festival and a de rigueur feature on America’s civic, religious, educational and business calendars,” Rabbi Mark S. Diamond, executive vice president of the Board of Rabbis of Southern California, wrote in his Hanukkah message to the region’s Jewish community.

“When we light candles for the last night of Hanukkah, let’s recall miracles in days long ago and let’s reflect on the modern-day miracles of the little holiday that could (and did) make it big in 21st century America.”

To Councilwoman Jan Perry, “Hanukkah celebrates commitment to family and the importance of persistence in achieving goals.”

Perry said a Hanukkah tradition in her family is collecting menorahs to mark the passage of time.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is scheduled to participate in the lighting of two menorahs today. The first will be at noon at City Hall in an event organized by Chabad of California for the 25th consecutive year.

The lighting is being dedicated to the plight of the newly unemployed and their families and with a hope and prayer for a brighter tomorrow, according to Rabbi Boruch Shlomo Cunin, who heads Chabad of California.

“We are always inspired to join with our mayor and elected officials at City Hall during Hanukkah and we look forward to seeing the menorah shine brightly here in the City of Angels,” Cunin said.

“Especially in these difficult times, when we face so many challenges and so much darkness, our response must always be to embrace hope and light.”