The History of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa
Hanukkah
The Jewish holiday, Hanukkah means “Establishing” or “Dedication” in honor of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Around 200 B.C., Mattathias and his son Judah Maccabeus rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors, becoming the first Jews to defend their religion rather than lives. This action became known as the Maccabean Revolt.
Judea came under the control of the king of Syria, Antiochus III. When his son Antiochus IV, took over the role of king, Jewish religion was outlawed and they were forced to worship Greek gods. King Antiochus IV sent his soldiers to Jerusalem, resulting in the death of thousands. Jerusalem’s Second Temple was turned into an altar to Zeus. Jewish priest Mattathias and his five sons led a rebellion, known as the Macabees rebellion.
After Mattathias died, Judah took the lead. Two years later, the Jews successfully drove the Syrians out of Jerusalem. Judah called his followers to cleanse in the Second temple, and rebuilt it, using a menorah for light. The menorah only had enough oil to burn for that day, but the candle continues to burn for eight.
Now, celebrations that are held during Hanukah involve singing traditional songs, reciting the Halle prayer, eating food fried in oil, playing dreidel games, and giving Hanukah gelt, instead of money, the gelt is now chocolate coins.
Each night they light one candle on the menorah, using the ninth candle called the shamash. During these eight days, meat must be ritually slaughtered and salted to remove all traces of blood. Mixing meat and dairy in the same meal is not allowed and pork, shellfish, and most insects cannot be eaten.
Kwanzaa
Maulona Ron Karenga, formerly a Black activist, was deeply disturbed by the 1965 riot.
It resulted in 24 people killed, 1,000 people injured, and $40 million worth of property destroyed in the Black Watts neighborhood. These events caused him to create an African American/ Pan-American holiday, known as Kwanzaa.
The first celebration was held in Los Angeles, in 1966. The holiday name is Kwanzaa comes from the saying “matunda ya kwanza” meaning “first fruits.” The second A was added because seven children wanted to each represent a letter. Karenga believed that Christmas and Christianity were only for “white” people, so this holiday became an alternative. It celebrates history, values, community, family, and culture. They use a seven-candle to symbolize the seven principles: unity, self-determination, cooperative economics, uprose, creativity, faith, and collective work and responsibility.
On the sixth day of this celebration, they have a feast known as Karamu. On the last day, homemade gifts are given to family members.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one is Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28