What is Hanukkah The word Hanukkah means rededication

What is Hanukkah The word Hanukkah means ‘re-dedication’. To dedicate means to commit something (like a place) or yourself to something (such as a god, religion or cause). Talk About It! Use your knowledge of prefixes to work out what re-dedication means.

A long time ago in a country called Israel, there stood a beautiful temple in the city of Jerusalem.

Why is this temple important to Jews?

Write a few sentences about the Temple and its importance under the diagram

In Jerusalem lived an evil king called Antiochus, the King of Syria. He didn’t like people who had different beliefs to his own. He went around the world, fighting against people so that he could make them follow his beliefs.

King Antiochus decided to fight the people of Israel. His army won and he told everyone that now that he was in charge, only his gods could be worshipped. He told the Jewish people of Israel that they must give up their own beliefs and follow his; if they didn’t they would be punished harshly. Another of his orders was to destroy the Jewish temples, including the beautiful one in Jerusalem.

Reflect upon the emotions of captivity and freedom - how would you feel if you were held captive? - what does it mean to be free?

Most of the people decided they had no other choice but to follow Antiochus’ commands but one man, Judah Maccabee, decided that the king was wrong and something had to be done. Judah and his brothers, who were great soldiers, formed an army to fight the king and his army.

Judah’s army, known as the Maccabees, were much smaller than the king’s army, but the brothers fought with all their might because they were fighting for what they believed in.

The Maccabees won and the king was defeated.

They went to reclaim the temple in Jerusalem but it was in a terrible state.

Why it was important to rededicate the temple As they worked to try and repair the temple, they found a small container of oil, enough to keep the menorah burning for only short time but then a miracle took place.

The lamps burned for eight days and eight nights and the Maccabees knew God was with them. Freedom of belief and thought is important

Every year, Jews around the world remember and celebrate these events at Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. It is one of the most important dates for Jewish people. Happy Hanukkah!

Celebrating Hannukah Challah Bread Like many Jewish holidays, Hanukkah has accompanying food traditions. Many of these traditions are strongly related to the story of the Hanukkah miracle. Hanukkah is an eight-day celebration, but it is very rare for families to actually prepare a Hanukkah feast for eight days in a row. Typically, families will have a large holiday meal with friends and extended family on the first or last day of Hanukkah; on the other days they light the menorah, say blessings, and (in some households) give gifts. Latkes (Potato Pancakes)

Reflect What is this and why is it important for Jewish people? Complete the activity.