Subscribe here: [ Ссылка ] Chag Chanukah Sameach Participation of Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, in the "EuroChanukah 2023" event
On 10 December 2023, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, participated in the "EuroChanukah 2023" event, organised by the European Jewish Community Centre (EJCC) in the context of the eight-day Jewish celebration of Hanukkah.
Chanukah commemorates a successful rebellion against the Seleucid empire, which suppressed freedom of religion in the Middle East in the second century BC, and the rededication (‘chanukah’ in Hebrew) of the (second) temple in Jerusalem. Each evening a light is added to the previous candles.
Today Chanukah is one of the most joyous holidays in Jewish culture, celebrated by religious and secular people alike, commemorating the triumph of light over darkness and expressing hope for a better future.
For a greeting that resonates with the essence of the festival, one might opt for “Chag Urim Sameach” (Happy Festival of Lights). When composing Hanukkah greetings, consider extending wishes for well-being, joy, warmth, and happiness to accompany the celebrations during the Festival of Lights.
How to say happy Hanukkah in Hebrew?
The traditional greeting in English for Hanukkah is "Happy Hanukkah," but in Hebrew, one can say "Chag Sameach" (Happy Holiday) or "Chag Hanukkah Sameach" (Happy Hanukkah).
"You can wish someone a happy Hanukkah by saying chag sameach, which is pronounced [ khag sah-meh-ahkh ]," according to thesaurus.com.
"This expression means 'happy holiday.' If you want to make it a bit more Hanukkah-specific, you can say chag Hanukkah sameach, pronounced [ khag khah-nuh-kuh sah-meh-ahkh ], instead."
What is the best greeting for Hanukkah?
Another greeting is "Chag Urim Sameach" (Happy Festival of Lights). The article provides suggestions for writing Hanukkah messages, including wishes for health, happiness, warmth, and joy during the Festival of Lights.
On the first night of Hanukkah it is tradition to accompany the lighting process to recite the Shehecheyanu, which is the blessing that is said the first time there is a celebration each Jewish calendar year, to create a moment of reflection.
Archaeological reminder
A reminder about the origin of Chanukah was disclosed last week when Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) showed a rare wooden box containing a small trove of 15 silver coins dating to the period just before the outbreak of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid empire. The box was hidden about 2,200 years ago in a cave in the desert overlooking the Dead Sea where it was recently excavated.
The trove comprised a homogeneous group of silver tetradrachma coins, minted by Ptolemy VI, King of Egypt. Ptolemy VI reigned over Egypt at the same time as his uncle Antiochos IV Epiphanes (called “the Wicked”) reigned over the Seleucid kingdom, including Judea.
Based on the date of the latest coin in the hoard (170 BC), the year when the box was hidden can be fixed to the beginning of the Maccabean rebellion against Antiochos Epiphanes IV. His decrees against the Jewish religion sparked the rebellion for religious and political freedom which is commemorated in the Chanukah festival.
The books of the Maccabees, named after the dynasty which led the rebellion, belong to the canonical or apocryphal part of the Bible (depending on religion). They describe the dramatic events of the times that would have led people to hide their possessions in the Judean Desert until the danger passed.
“It is interesting to try to visualize the person who fled to the cave and hid his personal property there,” said Dr Eitan Klein, who studied the coins and is deputy director of IAA’s theft prevention unit.
“The person was probably killed in the battles and did not return to collect his possessions that awaited almost 2,200 years until we retrieved it. This is an absolutely unique find which presents the first clear archaeological evidence that the Judean Desert caves played an active role as the stage of the activities of the Jewish rebels.”
What is the best greeting for Hanukkah?
Another greeting is "Chag Urim Sameach" (Happy Festival of Lights). The article provides suggestions for writing Hanukkah messages, including wishes for health, happiness, warmth, and joy during the Festival of Lights.
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