Free public menorah lightings are planned in Pasadena and Santa Monica on Wednesday to commemorate the first night of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
The hour-long event highlighting what Chabad of Pasadena is promoting as the “Rose Menorah” begins at 4 p.m. at Pasadena City Hall. The event will also include live entertainment, arts and crafts, donuts and latkes.
The lighting of a series of eight menorahs on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade begins at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday’s lighting is organized by Chabad of Santa Monica and will include music, arts and crafts. Laquez and hot chocolate will be available.
Free public menorah lighting ceremonies will be held Thursday at 4:30 p.m. on Third Street Promenade, 5 p.m. at Culver Steps in Culver City, and 5:30 p.m. at Fairmont Century Plaza and Redondo Beach Civic Center.
In 165 BC, after a three-year revolt, the Jews defeated the Hellenistic Syrian army of Antiochus IV, and the temple in Jerusalem, which the occupiers had dedicated to the worship of Zeus, was taken over by Judas Maccabees, who led the revolt. Rededicated. It was started by his father, the high priest Mattasias.
According to the story of Hanukkah, the Maccabees and their soldiers wanted to light the temple’s ceremonial lamps with ceremonial pure olive oil as part of their rededication, but the oil they found was meant to burn for a day. There was only enough. However, the oil continued to burn for eight days, which was considered a miracle.
Hanukkah, which means “consecration” in Hebrew, is observed around the world by lighting a candle in a special menorah called a hanukkiah at sunset every day for eight days, and adding an additional candle each day.
The reason for lighting the lights is so that passersby will see them and be reminded of the miracle of the holiday.
Other Hanukkah traditions include spinning square tops called dreidels, which commemorate in part a game thought to have been played by Jews under Greek rule to camouflage their Torah study, and latkes, which are This includes eating fried foods, such as grated pancakes. Potato and jelly donuts.
Children receive Hanukkah “gelt” (the Yiddish word for money) from their parents and grandparents. This tradition began in the 17th century when Polish Jews gave money to their children during Hanukkah and gave it to their teachers, which led to parents also giving money to their children. I did.
In the United States, the custom of giving holiday gifts to children and others has developed.
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the lunisolar Hebrew calendar, which indicates both the moon phase and the time of the solar year. The earliest Hanukkah begins on the Gregorian calendar is November 28th and the latest date is December 26th.
This is the first time since 2005 that Hanukkah has started on Christmas, and the fourth time since 1900. It was also held at Christmas in 1910, 1921 and 1959.
