Chanukah
every year between the end of November and the end of December
Every year between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate the holiday of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev , but the starting date on the western calendar varies from year to year. The holiday celebrates the events which took place over 2,300 years ago in the land of Judea, which is now Israel.
Jews celebrate Chanukah to mark the victory over the Syrians and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. The Festival of the Lights, Chanukah, lasts for eight days to commemorate the miracle of the oil. The word Chanukah means rededication.
Long ago in the land of Judea there was a Syrian king, Antiochus. The king ordered the Jewish people to reject their God, their religion, their customs and their beliefs and to worship the Greek gods. There were some who did as they were told, but many refused. One who refused was Judah Maccabee.
Judah and his four brothers formed an army and chose as their name the word Maccabee, which means hammer. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were finally successful in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaimed the Temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees wanted to clean the building and to remove the hated Greek symbols and statues. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the job was finished and the temple was rededicated.
When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they wanted to light the eternal light, known as the Ner Tamid, which is present in every Jewish house of worship. Once lit, the oil lamp should never be extinguished.
Only a tiny jug of oil was found with only enough for a single day. The oil lamp was filled and lit. Then a miracle occurred as the tiny amount of oil stayed lit not for one day, but for eight days.
In America, families celebrate Chanukah at home. They give and receive gifts, decorate the house, entertain friends and family, eat special foods, and light the holiday menorah.
上一篇: 雅思口语素材:Diwali(排灯节)
下一篇: 雅思口语问题怎么答:实话实说
国际英语资讯:Swiss national, 6 Moroccans charged over murder of 2 tourists
国内英语资讯:China, U.S. hold vice-ministerial level talk on economic, trade issues in Beijing
怎样拯救尴尬的聊天?这9个诀窍要掌握
国内英语资讯:Chinas high-speed railway length to top 30,000 km in 2019
体坛英语资讯:Liverpool defender Gomez out for 6 weeks with broken leg
体坛英语资讯:Cavs star Thompson fined 15,000 US dollars
国际英语资讯:San Francisco mayor complains about additional burden amid U.S. federal govt shutdown
国内英语资讯:Chinese premier meets Tesla CEO
国内英语资讯:Vice premier stresses energy security, high-quality growth
国际英语资讯:UN official, Libyan minister discuss security arrangements in Tripoli
国际英语资讯:Tens of displaced Syrians return to liberated villages near Manbij
致我们终将逝去的青春:20多岁后悔没去做的8件事
When Faith Is Questioned 当信念动摇
国内英语资讯:China to upgrade comprehensive bonded zones into new platforms of high-standard opening-up
“奔三”的90后们:三十岁之前应该改掉的20个坏习惯
The Way to Learn English 学习英语的方法
如果一年不吃甜食会怎样?
国际英语资讯:Irish PM, German Chancellor hold phone talk over Brexit issue
Lovely Cat 可爱的小猫
体坛英语资讯:Bayern Munich still face uncertain future despite topping Champions League group
体坛英语资讯:Leipzig held to 1-1 draw by Rosenborg, eliminated from UEFA Europa League
双语阅读:有些金钱是人生不能承受之重
坏消息:肥胖不光丑,而且还致癌
双语阅读:坚持不放弃,你便是生活的主人
体坛英语资讯:US womens soccer team to launch 10-game, 10-city warmup tour in buildup to World Cup
国际英语资讯:Democrat Nancy Pelosi becomes House speaker in divided U.S. Congress
体坛英语资讯:River Plate clinch fourth Copa Libertadores title
中国首批“瑜伽硕士生”引外媒关注
国内英语资讯:China approves 2018-2035 master plan for Xiongan New Area
国内英语资讯:Xi sends condolences to Putin on gas explosion in Russias Magnitogorsk