HAPPY HANUKKAH!

HANUKKAH---what is it? (a brief explanation for us Christians And HAPPY HANUKKAH! to my Jewish friends) Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday Commemorating the rededication Of the Holy Temple ( the Second Temple) In Jerusalem At the time Of the Maccabean Revolt-second century BCE It is also known As Chanukah-Chanukkah-Chanuka Or the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS The story of Hanukkah Is preserved In the books of the First and Second Maccabees And are NOT part of the Hebrew Bible The festival is observed By the kindling of the lights Of a unique candelabrum The nine-branched-Menorah Adding one additional light On each night of the holiday Progressing to eight on the final night The typical Menorah Consists of eight branches With an additional raised branch The extra light Is called a shamash And is given a distinct location Usually above or below the rest The purpose of the shamash Is to have a light available for use As using the Hanukkah lights themselves Is forbidden The historical significance Of the Maccabees Is the MIRACLE Of the ONE-DAY supply of oil Miraculously lasting eight days And allowing the Maccabees To successfully rebel Against Antiochus IV So a BIG HAPPY HANUKKAH To BOTH my Jewish and Christian friends Robert P. Wallman 12-10-12 & 12-7-15