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| A Curious Pattern |
Hanukkah begins in the evening of Saturday, December 8, 2012, and ends in the evening of Sunday, December 16, 2012.
Yes I am celebrating Chanukah/Hanukah.
What is Chanukah exactly? In short, the origin of chanukah begins in the times of greek occupation of Judea. Antiochus Ephaninies oppressed the judeans and tried to force them to accept the Greek way of life. Some jews accepted but many more were appalled. This began a war by the inhabitants themselves started by those who would eventually call themselves Makkabi or Maccabee. The word Makkabi in Hebrew means "Hammer". So the order of the day was to smash the powers that be. When they worn the war and the Temple was returned to them. It took eight days to cleanse the temple. (Legend says that oil burned for eight days. Hence the eight branched hanukiah many are familiar with.)
It has become a tradition over time to give gifts during the eight day period. Although it falls around the same time frame as Christmas, it has nothing to do with it and therefore is not a "Jewish Christmas" as some assume. Chanukah was kept to remember those who wanted to remain in Truth.
Here are The Maccabeats with a song called "Hanukah"
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