December 28, 2007

The Festival of Lights

By Bill Highlander
Editor

Jews celebrate Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, usually in December for eight days and nights to remember a miracle in their history. The story goes that more than 2000 years ago, Jews in Judea (now Israel) could not practice their religion because the ruling king, the Greek-Syrian Antiochus IV, insisted on a Greek culture.

Donald and Harriett Fernandez celebrated Hanukkah with an outdoor menorah outside their home in the Villages. Traditional blessings and prayers were said each evening as the lights were lit.

A rebel army known as the Macabees fought for three years to regain the right to worship as Jews and took back the temple on Mount Moriah. In preparing to rededicate the temple, they found only enough consecrated oil to burn in the temple lamp for one day. But the light continued to burn for eight days, the number of days necessary process more oil.

To commemorate this event, Jews light a menorah, a stand holding nine candles. Eight are of the same height, signifying one for each day of Hanukkah. The center candle, called the shamash, is used to light the others. The lighting occurs just before dark and burns for about 30 minutes. Traditional prayers, blessings, and songs accompany the ceremony.

During the observance of Hanukkah, Jews mark the occasion with games, latkes (potato pancakes), and gifts.

Kwanzaa
December is the month for celebrations. In addition to Christmas or Hanukkah, Afro-Americans in the US may celebrate Kwanzaa to recognize the values of African culture. Kwanzaa is a seven-day holiday, starting on Dec. 26, based on the first-fruits festivities of ancient Africa.

Dr. Maulana Karenga came up with the concept of Kwanzaa to reinforce family, community and culture shared by Africans and those of African heritage. A set of candles (one black, three red, three green) are used to mark each of the seven days, denoting a principle of Nguzo Saba. The principles observe unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

Karamu is a feast served on Dec. 31 in homes decorated with African motif and accompanied by a ritual celebrating the African culture.