Medieval Life 103 – Hanukkah, Jewish Festival of Lights – Part II of Jewish Festivals
Hanukkah Part II
Hanukka, from the Hebrew word for “dedication,” is the Jewish Festival of Lights. Josephus Flavius wrote the Festival is called “Lights” because freedom glowed and lighted up Jewish life unexpectedly.
Chanukkah stands for the achievement of religious liberty. It stands for a revival of a sentiment for the national development of the Jewish people. It is about the struggle of a few people for the right to practice their religious beliefs.
The Hanukkah menorah or candle is called a “hanukkiyah”. It has eight places for a separate flame and a ninth place for an extra flame called the ‘shamash’ or “servant” candle, which lights others. A menorah can be made of anything that won’t burn. For almost 2000 years the menorah has inspired extraordinary designs.
The hannukkiyah is lit at nightfall. On the first night a candle is placed at the far right end of the menorah and each night another candle is added. The shamash is lit first, and is used to light the other candles. Then the shamash is placed in the middle branch or holder. Everyone should get to light the candles at least once because the miracle was for all of us. These candles are a reminder that even the small when they stand together, can light the darkness.
As soon as the shamash is lit, two blessings are said. The first is a blessing over the Hanukkah candles. The second blessing gives thanks for the miracles. On the first night, a third prayer is added to give thanks for being able to celebrate the holiday.
In the olden days the lights were kindled at the left side of the door leading to the street, opposite the mezuzah. The benediction over the Chanukkah lights stems from the time of the Amoraim.
During the middle ages, the song, “Rock of Ages”, appeared among the Ashkenazic Jews.
During Chanukkah there is an old custom of eating cheese dishes. Pancakes made of cheese were used. From this developed the custom of eating pancakes of all kinds. In the Medieval times, the Jewish people explained this custom by connecting it with the story of Judith.
Playing with the dreidel is a traditional Hanukkah game played in Jewish homes all over the world. A dreidel is a four winged top with a Hebrew letter on each side. The Yiddish word “dreydl” comes from the word “dreyen” (“to turn”).
The four letters on the dreidel, were interpreted as an acrostic of the sentence “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”. (A great miracle happened here.) Dreidel began when Antiochus IV forbade the Jews to study the Torah, the Jewish Bible.
In the Middle Ages, the dreidel became more complicated as rules for this game were borrowed from a German gambling game. The custom of the spinning dreidel is widespread. This top is called a ‘trendal’ by the Jews of Germany, Bohemia and Hungary and in some places a ‘werfel’. The German Christians also had the custom of spinning a three winged top on Christmas Eve.
It was also customary to present theatricals on Chanukah. In the Orient, the Jewish people would masquerade during Chanukah, men donning women’s clothes and parading through the streets.
During the Middle Ages, it became the custom in some Jewish communities to read publicly in the Synagogue on Chanukkoh the “Scroll of Antiochus” (Scroll of Hasmoneans). The Scroll was an outline of the events in connection with the revolt and victory of the Maccabees in legendary form. It was originally written in Armamic and later translated into Hebrew and into many other languages.
As Hanukkah’s last night is upon us, let us remember the miracle of a few people overcoming tremendous odds in a struggle for the right to practice their religion and the miracle of light in a winter of darkness. Happy Hanukkah dear Knights!
Adam Sandler original Chanukah (Hanukkah) Song
Lady Sharon,
Scribe of History at the Knights of the Pain Table News
History of Hanukkah - Part I of Jewish Festivals
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