Hanukkah

Q: Is it true that Hanukkah is a minor holiday??

A:  Truth be told, Hanukkah is a minor holiday and not in the category of festival. In Judaism, a festival, Hebrew chag, is reserved for the three festivals Sukkoth, Pesach and Shavuot. Only on those three occasions to be greet each other with the words Chag Sameach, a happy Jewish holiday. During Hanukkah you simply say Hanukkah Sameach for the word chag does not apply.

On the festivals we do not put on tefillin and we abstain from work. There are no such prohibitions. Observances for this holiday are few, we light candles for eight days, we enjoy fried potato pancakes (latkes) and donuts and add a special paragraph to the daily prayers, the Amidah.

Many modern families have adopted the custom giving gelt or presents to the children. The practice of gift giving is undoubtedly compensation for the children missing out on what their Christian friends are getting.  Of course, the act of giving presents serves to enhance the holiday and add further feeling of joy the season.

The creation of the state of Israel has added a new dimension to the holiday. The heroic deeds of the Maccabees are an inspiration to the pioneers and defenders of the Jewish state. For Israelis, the kindling of the flames as it did reminder of the downloadable spirit of the Jewish people.  Its flames call attention to the light which will never be extinguished.