F5: Chanukah

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Introduction

Chanukah is a lot of fun. Get out the Chanukiyah, light the candles, sing Maoz Tzur, spin the dreidle and maybe have a latka or two. Some light entertainment in a harsh world. More of a cultural tradition than a deeply religious festival, right? Wrong! The memory of Chanukah has lasted so long because it is eternally relevant. The message of Chanukah calls to us from across the ages to tell us things we need to know if we are to live as Jews today. First, the story...

Hellenisation

About 2200 years ago our ancestors were living in the land of Israel and the Holy Temple of Jerusalem was still in constant use. Our country was ruled by a foreign power, namely the Syrian kingdom, but the prevailing culture of the time was Greek, and it was slowly influencing our people. Many changed their Hebrew names to Greek ones; people spoke in Greek as they did their daily business; posters announced Greek-style competitive games and races; groups of boys practised throwing the discus and wrestling. So anxious were they to be like the Greeks, they were called "Hellenists" - imitators of Hellenes (the Greeks)

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