Holiday candles Bashny.Net

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday candles that are lit in honor of the miracle that occurred at the consecration of the Temple after the victory over the forces of Judah Maccabee over the forces of king Antiochus in 164 year BC. This holiday begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and lasts for eight days. In 332 BC Judah voluntarily came under the rule of Alexander the great, who adhered to the policy of non-interference in the religious life of the Jews.


After the death of Alexander in 323 BC and the many wars fought between them, his heirs, came to power the Egyptian Ptolemaic dynasty and the subsequent century has passed in a state of relative stability. In 198 BC the Ptolemies were defeated the Seleucids (Assyrian Greeks), in whose hands were and Judah. At first, the overall situation seemed unchanged, and even improved. The Jews received written guarantees confirming their right to live according to the laws of their fathers" and the tax burden was reduced. But then the Seleucids began to attempt to allinternal Jews. Greek philosophy and culture gradually began to infiltrate the Jewish community. In 175 BC came to power, Antiochus Epiphanes, when the Hellenization of non-Greek population has acquired a particularly hard form.


The Torah was forbidden book, observance of Jewish law — a serious crime, everywhere the idols were installed. Antiochus gave his name to Jerusalem, the temple treasures were confiscated, and himself plundered the Temple. In response, in Judea began a revolt led by the Maccabees family. Compared the army of Antiochus, the rebel army was small, poorly armed and prepared. Who led the army of Judah Maccabee, realizing this, avoided open battles, not allowing the enemy to take advantage of the numerical advantage. Attacking the individual units of the Greeks, the rebel army won one victory after another. For three years, they ousted the invaders from the country and liberate Jerusalem, proving that the high purpose and strength of spirit often crucial. The legend says that standing on the temple mount, the Jews found in the Temple oil for lamps, enough to keep a fire burning for only one day. However, miraculously the fire in the Golden menorah burned for eight days, during which prepared the new reserves of oil. So was re-consecrated the Temple. In memory of this event in celebration every evening candles are lit, one in the first day, two the second, three in third and so on, to eight, using, as a rule, special candlestick — the menorah.


Jewish proverb says: "a Little light is enough to dispel great darkness." Hanukkah children's holidays, decided to give them toys and give money. About old events reminiscent of the Chanukah spinning top, on each of the four faces of which is written the first letter of each word of the phrase "a great Miracle happened here" (if it happens in Israel) or "great Miracle was there."




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