Hanukkah, Chanukkah


Tonight at sundown, Hanukkah begins.

 
[The Lights of Chanukkah /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

Often called the Festival of Lights, the next 8 days commemorates an important event
in Jewish history.

 
[Menorah in stone, KAM Isaiah Israel (1924) Alfred Alschuler /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

Alexander the Great, Greeks, Jews, assimilation, oppression, massacres, temple
desecration, a revolt, rededication of the temple, a menorah, one days worth of lamp oil that lasts a miraculous eight days, it's all wrapped up in the Chanukkah story. For a much more thorough explanation, click here.

 
[Silver wrapped chocolate gelt /Image & Artwork: designslinger]

Another tradition associated with the holiday is the giving of gelt, or money. More on gelt
here and here. Today, gelt is often distributed to children in the form of foil wrapped chocolate coins. Usually in gold, the foil also comes in silver, one of the colors that has become associated with the holiday along with blue.

And so, to all of you, L'chaim!

Posted by designslinger at 12/11/2009 2:20 AM
Categories: Events,Decorative Arts
Tags: Festival of Lights Jewish holidays menorahs
 

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