Hanukkah Presentation
Transcript: Hanukkah by: Dani Adduono, Madison Wojciechowski, Courtney Rizzuto, Madison Taylor, & Kevin Marier Music Music "Ma'oz Tzur" also a widely known English version as "Rock of Ages", is a Jewish liturgical poem. It is written in Hebrew, and is usually sung on the holiday of Hanukkah, after lighting the festival lights. Its six stanzas correspond to five events of Jewish history and a hope for the future. Of its six stanzas, often only the first stanza is sung, as this is what directly pertains to Hanukkah. "Ma'oz Tzur" was written sometime in the 13th century. Oh Chanukah is an English version of the Yiddish Oy Chanukah. The English words, while not a translation, are roughly based on the Yiddish. The English version, along with I Have a Little Dreidel, is one of the most recognized English Hanukkah songs. Both of these songs are playful songs with upbeat tempo and are sung by children. The lyrics are about dancing the Horah(A type of circle dance), eating latkes, playing dreidel, lighting the candles and singing happy songs. History The holiday originated when Judah the Maccabee and his followers reclaimed the temple in the village of Modi'in from the Syrian King. The temple was cleansed and prepared for rededication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah means "dedication." When the sacred temple Menorah was relit, there was only enough sacred oil to burn for one day. Yet, according to tradition, the oil miraculously lasted eight days until more purified oil could be found. In remembrance, a candle is lit each of the eight days of Hanukkah. Children receive gifts of gelt (in remembrance of the coins minted by the new independent Maccabee state) or money and play games of dreidel (a spinning four-sided top.) The tradition of receiving a gift on each of the eight days of Hanukkah is fairly recent. Since Christians exchange gifts at Christmas, Jews have come to exchange gifts other than coins at Hanukkah, which comes at the same time of the year. Hanukkah, is not to be confused with Christianity and their Christmas. Although it is fairly close in time, both festivities have complete different meanings for their celebration. Hanukkah= how the Jewish people conquered the Greek, and also the oil that burned for eight days. Christmas= the birth of Jesus Christ Costumes Tallit Tefillin Decorations In modern times, the Star of David has become a premier Jewish symbol. This six-pointed star (hexagram), made of two interlocking triangles, can be found on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallis bags and kipot. Ambulances in Israel bear the sign of the "Red Star of David," and the flag of Israel has a blue Star of David planted squarely in the center. The Jews found only enough ritually pure olive oil to light the menorah for one day, but the supply lasted eight days until a new supply could be obtained. In celebration of this miracle, the Hanukkah menorah has eight branches for eight candles or oil lamps. Food In Hanukkah, fried foods are a custom. The miracle of Hanukkah is centered around the oil that lasted eight days, hence the fried foods. Such as Latkes (a.k.a Potato Pancakes), Jelly Doughnuts and other fried fritters. The Latkes are usually served with a side of applesauce or sour cream. Milk is also used because dairy is a significant part, just can not be eaten with meat. This is one of the Kosher laws. Rituals Rituals Rock of the Ages (Ma’Oz Tzur) Rock of Ages let our song Praise (your) saving power; Thou amidst the raging foes; (You were) our sheltering tower (Our sheltering tower). Rock of Ages let our song Praise Thy saving power; Thou amidst the raging foes; You were) our sheltering tower (Our sheltering tower.) Furious they assailed us, But thine arm availed us, And Thy word broke their sword, When our own strength failed us. And (your) word broke their sword, When our own strength failed us. Children of the (Wanderers) Whether free or fettered Wake the echoes of the songs Where ye may be scattered Yours the message cheering That the time is nearing Which will see all men free And tyrants disappearing (Hope will see all men free, And tyrants disappearing Background Judaism all started with the Patriarch Abraham. God had promised Abraham that if he had followed God and do as he says, Abraham and all his people would receive their Promised Land, and their Messiah. Abraham had a son Isaac, who followed in his fathers footsteps, and Isaac had a son Jacob (Also known as Israel) who did the same thing. Jacob (Israel) had 12 sons, and they all lived in the land of Canaan. But a drought landed in Canaan, and all who lived there had to go to Egypt. As centuries passed, the descendents of Jacob (Israel) became slaves to the Egyptians, and this is where they got their name Hebrew. The Hebrews were finally lead away from Egypt to a place called Mount Sinai, lead by G-d through Moses. This was their promised land they have waited so long for. On Mount Sinai, Moses was given the Ten Commandments, on stone, by G-d. All those Canaanites who were