Chanukah Reflections
by Nina Silver
Title
Chanukah Reflections
Artist
Nina Silver
Medium
Photograph - Digital Photograph With Creative Digital Enhancements
Description
Nine multi-coloured candles in a Chanukah Menorah are lit to signify the last night of this historical holiday. Chanukah, also known as 'the festival of lights', is celebrated in Jewish homes to commemorate the story of a time over 2500 years ago when Antiochus, a Syrian king, tried to make the Jewish people worship Greek gods. A statue of Antiochus was erected in the Jewish temple and the Jews were ordered to bow down before him.
The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt. While hiding from their oppressors, the story goes, the Jews were held up in a temple. While there, they only had enough fuel to keep light for one day and one night; but a miracle occurred and instead the light lasted for 8 days and 8 nights.
The middle candle in the menorah (the holder of the candles) is one called a Shammus (servant). This candle is used to light all the other candles. On the first night of Chanukah, Jewish families light the candle on the far right. Each night, from right to left, another candle is added to the menorah and lit as well.
Uploaded
November 10th, 2015
Embed
Share