Digitizing History: Palestine Broadcasting Service, 1936-1948

Religious Affairs: Hanukkah

HANUKKAH: THE FEAST OF LIGHTS

Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights, one of Jewry's most -festive holidays, has its origin in the Hebrew Legends of the Maccabee Period, during the second century B.C.E. It is a story of the bravery of Mathias and his five sons who gathered about them an army which succeeding in defeating the Greeks who then ruled over Palestine. After their great victory,Mathias and his men came to the Temple in Jerusalem to celebrate their freedom from serfdom to the Greeks. They found the Temple desecrated and all the vessels and oils unfit for religious use. In their search throughout the Holy Structure they came upon a small can of oil bearing the seal of the High Priest which allowed them to use it in their Thanksgiving service. However, the oil was sufficient for only one night. But a miracle took place, according to the legend, and the small portion of oil lasted for eight days.

Thus it is, that today Jews celebrate this feast for eight days, on each night lighting a candle to recall to them each one those anxious days when the one-day supply of oil burned on.

It is a feast of rejoicing for Jewry who find in. contemplation of those heroic days something of the grandeur that was their's in the past. Hanukkah has become one of the most popular festivals in the Jewish /calendar. Dances, songs, games and general gaiety mark ths holiday although throughout the festivities there foliates a thread of dignity and restraint which distinguishes it from holidays such as Purim.

A feature of this festival are the hot pancakes which have become the special dish of Hanukkah and which may be had at all times in every Jewish home throughout the eight days.Its essentially a children's holiday and in this respect parallels Christmas, the two festivals almost invariably running into each other. This year Hanukkah begins on December 17 and ends on December 25.

For the children it is week of unceasing festivities, gay parties, plays, and - what is most important - presents. For them every distant relative becomes an uncle or aunt who is expected to come forward with a suitable gift