Rabbi Debbie
On Monday morning we welcomed Rabbi Debbie to our school to talk to us about Judaism in a whole school assembly.
In assembly we learnt more about Hanukkah and the children were shown a PowerPoint about its importance in the Jewish faith. They shared their learning and even touched on the way Alexander the Great made it difficult for jewfish people to practice their faith.
What is Hanukkah?
This is a Jewish festival which lasts 8 days from the 25th day of Kislev (in December) and commemorates the rededication of the Temple in 165 BC by the Maccabees after its desecration by the Syrians. It is marked by the successive kindling of eight lights. In Hebrew, Hanukkah means ‘dedication’.
What is a Menorah?
In Hebrew, the word menorah means ‘lamp’. The ancient menorah had seven branches, one for each day of creation and it burned in the Temple. The candles are placed on the menorah from right to left, the same direction in which one reads Hebrew. However when lighting the menorah you move in the opposite direction using the Shamash to light the candles from left to right.
