by Cristy October 16, 2003
Get the chanks mug.Chanukah means dedication in Hebrew. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees. They entered Jerusalem and cleaned the Jewish temple of the "abominations" such as the Greek gods that Antiochus Epiphanes imposed on the Jews when he attempted to coerce them into giving up their religion.
The real story of Chanukah is not the one about the little miracle concerning the temple's single pure oil can that lasted 8 days during the Chanukah (dedication) of the temple by the Maccabees, about 2200 years ago.
The Maccabees' victory may well be the first victory of a guerrilla army against an invading world power. Judah Maccabee (="hammer") and his brothers led a brilliant campaign in the Judean hills. Several of the 5 brothers died in those battles.
More importantly, the victory was that of those Jews who believed in their biblical God and refused to assimilate, over those Jews who had accepted the Greek culture. One war was waged by the Maccabees against the foreign rulers, the Syrians, who were called "Greeks" in the Chanukah story as theirs was a Greek culture. That culture was dominant just about anywhere then. However, there was a parallel civil war meant to rid Judea of the assimilationists who were adopting the Greek culture. Had the Maccabees lost Judaism may not have lasted long. Due to the victory the Maccabee dynasty ruled the country for more than 200 years, and Judaism as it existed then survived for millennia afterwards. This said, some observe that today's Jews have largely assimilated in their contemporary culture, and behave more like the assimilated that the Maccabees fought (for example in terms of eating non-kosher foods or their insufficient observation of the Sabbath).
The real story of Chanukah is not the one about the little miracle concerning the temple's single pure oil can that lasted 8 days during the Chanukah (dedication) of the temple by the Maccabees, about 2200 years ago.
The Maccabees' victory may well be the first victory of a guerrilla army against an invading world power. Judah Maccabee (="hammer") and his brothers led a brilliant campaign in the Judean hills. Several of the 5 brothers died in those battles.
More importantly, the victory was that of those Jews who believed in their biblical God and refused to assimilate, over those Jews who had accepted the Greek culture. One war was waged by the Maccabees against the foreign rulers, the Syrians, who were called "Greeks" in the Chanukah story as theirs was a Greek culture. That culture was dominant just about anywhere then. However, there was a parallel civil war meant to rid Judea of the assimilationists who were adopting the Greek culture. Had the Maccabees lost Judaism may not have lasted long. Due to the victory the Maccabee dynasty ruled the country for more than 200 years, and Judaism as it existed then survived for millennia afterwards. This said, some observe that today's Jews have largely assimilated in their contemporary culture, and behave more like the assimilated that the Maccabees fought (for example in terms of eating non-kosher foods or their insufficient observation of the Sabbath).
My first celebration of Chanukah was memorable. When 4 years old I was the 5th candle of the menorah (candelabra) during a play. However, despite the huge importance of my 2 lines I was never nominated by the academy.
by Edmos December 14, 2008
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The all-inclusive winter holiday greeting, addressing Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, Solstice and Ramadan all in one convenient word. Created to avoid any War-On-Christmas discussions when making any holiday greetings that are not specific to Christmas. See also:
Happy Chanukwansmasolstadan, my multi-ethnic friends!
I didn't want my Republican friends to bitch that i was killing Santa and Jesus when I said Happy Holidays, so I went around saying "Happy Chanukwanzmasolstadan" to everyone I met just to cover my bases.
I didn't want my Republican friends to bitch that i was killing Santa and Jesus when I said Happy Holidays, so I went around saying "Happy Chanukwanzmasolstadan" to everyone I met just to cover my bases.
by xxxmas December 28, 2011
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Get the chanumi mug.by *YO* June 11, 2006
Get the changster mug.by tdaddy916yadadaibooboo October 5, 2009
Get the Canus mug.Extreme followers of rapper Chamillionaire. Usually hang around hip hop sites waiting for someone to say something that they don't agree with about their "messiah" Some are known to move at "ghandi speed"
Chans: Chamillionaire is the best rapper alive.
Normal Person: Uh no, he hasn't had any success since "Ridin'"
Chans: No. He just dropped a new song and Venom is coming soon.
Normal Person: Shut the fuck up chan, just like Detox is coming soon.
Normal Person: Uh no, he hasn't had any success since "Ridin'"
Chans: No. He just dropped a new song and Venom is coming soon.
Normal Person: Shut the fuck up chan, just like Detox is coming soon.
by Rangeshooter February 27, 2009
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