We've been talking a lot about the Christmas traditions, events and celebrations that take place in Italy over the festive period in Winter but, while Italy is traditionally an overwhelmingly Catholic country, there are other celebrations to be had for people of different faiths in the country. Rome may seem like an unexpected destination for such things but, even though it is home to the Vatican, there is a strong and historic Jewish community in the city that will be celebrating Hanukkah from the 12th to the 20th of December this year.
Hanukkah is an annual Jewish celebration that lasts seven nights and eight days and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. There are different variations on the tale of the origin of the holiday but the basic story was that King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Judaism, ordered an altar to Zeus be built in the Temple, banned brit milah (circumcision) and ordered pigs to be sacrificed at the altar of the temple.
Hanukkah is an annual Jewish celebration that lasts seven nights and eight days and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC. There are different variations on the tale of the origin of the holiday but the basic story was that King Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed Judaism, ordered an altar to Zeus be built in the Temple, banned brit milah (circumcision) and ordered pigs to be sacrificed at the altar of the temple.
This led to a civil war and the Jews eventually won back the Holy Temple. They only had enough oil to keep a lamp lit for one day but, miraculously, the oil burned for eight, providing the temple with the light demanded by custom until they could get more.
This miracle is now celebrated as Hanukkah, which is known as the Festival of Lights and, as one might imagine, involves lots of traditions and events to do with light and the ceremonial lighting of the nine-branch candelabrum called the menorah. Rome's 20 foot tall menorah in Piazza Barberini is the centre of Roman celebrations of the holiday and attracts huge crowds for its nightly lighting at 6pm (times can vary a little some days, according to the Sabbath). Another, smaller menorah in Piazza Bologna is also lit and a centre of celebrations each night.
For those celebrating the holiday, or those who are curious about it, these are the key events to attend. Just find a vacation rental in Rome and see it for yourself!
This miracle is now celebrated as Hanukkah, which is known as the Festival of Lights and, as one might imagine, involves lots of traditions and events to do with light and the ceremonial lighting of the nine-branch candelabrum called the menorah. Rome's 20 foot tall menorah in Piazza Barberini is the centre of Roman celebrations of the holiday and attracts huge crowds for its nightly lighting at 6pm (times can vary a little some days, according to the Sabbath). Another, smaller menorah in Piazza Bologna is also lit and a centre of celebrations each night.
For those celebrating the holiday, or those who are curious about it, these are the key events to attend. Just find a vacation rental in Rome and see it for yourself!