Christmas is just around the corner, and most students are preoccupied with Santa and finding the perfect gift for that special someone. However, there is another celebration even closer around the corner than you might realize.
Hanukkah officially begins Friday at sundown and will last through December 19. Hanukkah began more than two millennia ago in the year 165 B.C. The holiday celebrates the liberation of the Temple, the Jewish worship center in Judea, as the Jews revolted against the Seleucid Empire and gained their freedom after years of oppression. Before this time, Judaism had been outlawed and Jews were often massacred for practicing.
Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days. This tradition came from the Jews burning olive oil to light the Temple after it was freed. The oil burned for eight days, helping to serve as a beacon and symbol of the recent freedom. Traditionally, the nine-branched Hanukkiah, the candelabrum used in the synagogues, is used to represent the eight days and the guarding of the faith. Each day during Hanukkah, the tallest of the nine branches, called the Shamash, is also lit every night as a symbol of protection. The light from the Shamash is then used to light the other branches of the Hanukkiah, one for every night of Hanukkah that has progressed.
There are also many other family traditions that go along with the holiday.
Aaron Margolis-Greenbaum is a freshman and Jewish student on campus. He said Hanukkah presents a bond that his family has in common.
"It is nice time for my family to spend time together," Greenbaum said.
Much like Christmas, Greenbaum's family gives presents to each other in spirit of the season, usually one during every day of Hanukkah. His family also lights the candles of their Hanukkiah every night and they recite the traditional Hanukkah verses. One of Greenbaum's favorite family traditions is when his mother makes latkes, or potato pancakes. Latkes are a traditional Jewish food usually eaten during the Hanukkah season.
Another tradition that non-Jewish students may be familiar with is the dreidel game.
However, as Hillel President Corey Gilman puts it, the dreidel game is really a stereotype drawn onto to Hanukkah and the Jewish faith.
"Sure, I can remember playing it as a child, but that was more because that was what you were supposed to do. It's kind of like drinking eggnog or leaving cookies for Santa," Gilman said.
Hanukkah is not quite as significant to the Jewish faith as one may think, Gilman said.
"Hanukkah focuses on the miracle that the oil lasted eight days," he said. "Hanukkah is probably least important as far as Jewish holidays."
Although there are not many Jewish students on campus, Greenbaum is not the only one. Hillel is a religious student organization that provides an outlet for Jewish students on campus. Hillel is predominantly a social organization, and as such, they encourage non-Jewish students to participate as well.
"Hillel provides an outlet for Jewish students. They are comfortable being with people who grew up much the same way they did," Gilman said.
The organization helps students create bonds with each other through a shared faith and set of beliefs.
Because Hanukkah falls during Finals Week this year, Hillel does not have any special programs scheduled for the next week.
"We would prefer that our members, and all students, focus on school and their finals. That should be their first priority," Gilman said.
Hillel
If you are interested in becoming involved in Hillel or if you have any questions, contact Gilman at hillel@bsu.edu.
Ball State Hillel is supported by, but not connected to the Temple Beth El congregation. It allows students to attend and participate in both Shabbat and High Holy Days services.
Temple Beth El
525 W. Jackson St.
Services are held every other Friday at 7:30 p.m.
For more information call 765-288-4662
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