Today Israel is fighting a war like no other since the Hamas’ horrifying attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Jews around the world have faced disturbing antisemitic harassment and violence.
But even in the face of this darkness, Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah, remembering the menorah’s light to help it shine brighter.
The Jewish holiday of Hanukkah is an eight-day festival that has become a beloved and joyous holiday.
Lasting for eight days, this year Hanukkah 2023 starts at nightfall on December 7, 2023 and ends with nightfall on December 15, 2023, beginning on the Hebrew calendar date of 25 Kislev.
Jews across the world celebrate the holiday by lighting a Menorah which means “lamp” in Hebrew. Besides, celebration in Israel, Hanukkah Festival is mostly observed in Australia, Canada, Colombia, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Hungary India, Iran, Italy, Morocco, Poland, Russia, Turkey, United States, Yemen where more numbers of Jews are living.
Israel has been observing this festival not along with latkes, jelly doughnuts and gifts (for some) but also with festive candle-lighting ceremonies, performances and some parties, too, to get people moving and burn off those fried-food calories.
To observe this Hanukkah festival the Ambassador of Israel to Nepal Hanan Goder hosted a dinner here this evening.
Briefing about the historical aspects of the festival the Israeli envoy also lauded the culturally important period of celebration for religious reasons. He also did not forget to touch on the issue of Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 that has claimed hundreds of lives including 10 Nepali students. However, one student Bipin Joshi who was captivated by Hamas rebels is still unknown
Reviewing the history, about 250 years after these events, the first-century Jewish historian Flavius Josephus wrote his account of the origins of the holiday. Whatever the history referred to the holiday with different names, the holiday had become known by the name of Hanukkah (“Dedication”).
Hanukkah has developed into a holiday rich with historical significance, physical and supernatural miracle narratives, and a dialogue with Jewish history.
Hanukkah gained new meaning with the rise of Zionism. As the early pioneers in Israel found themselves fighting to defend against attacks, they began to connect with the ancient Jewish fighters who stood their ground in the same place. The holiday of Hanukkah, with its positive portrayal of the Jewish fighter, spoke to the reality of the early Zionists who felt particularly connected to the message of freedom and liberty.
Hanukkah began to find new expression in the years leading up to the founding of the modern State of Israel.
Hanukkah has attained major cultural significance among secular Jews as a Jewish alternative to Christmas, and is often celebrated correspondingly fervently.
In the post-Holocaust world, Jews are acutely aware of the issues raised by Hanukkah: oppression, identity, religious freedom and expression, and the need to fight for national independence.
Lasting eight days, the joyous Jewish holiday celebrates a miracle from more than 2,000 years ago. The Jewish festival of lights, called Hanukkah, is celebrated around the world today. But the inspiration for the holiday dates back thousands of years in what is today the country of Israel.
Wish our Jewish friends across the globe a safe and joyful Hanukkah.
