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Inflatable Yard Decorations
Celebrate Hanukkah in a big way this year with inflatable yard decorations from Home Products 'n' More! These high quality inflatable yard decorations are made of vinyl coated nylon for durability. Each air blown inflatable yard decoration comes with a UL-approved blower for quick inflation. Better yet, these inflatable yard decorations are also lighted for a special glowing effect at night. Get free shipping on all air blown inflatable yard decorations from Home Products 'n' More!
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According to tradition, when the temple was rededicated, the Greeks had defiled almost all the oil for the menorah (a candelabrum that was supposed to burn every night, all through the night). The Jews only had enough oil for one day, but in a miracle, that oil lasted for eight days.
Hanukkah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, is an eight day holiday commemorating this miracle. On each day of the festival, an additional candle is added to the menorah, culminating on the last day, when all eight candles are fully lit.
The true meaning of Hanukkah runs much deeper and could be said to symbolize a triumph of religious freedom over assimilation. Antiochus’s view of the world was not unlike that of other brutal dictators in more recent history. He desired complete and total control over his subjects, and he sought to stamp out any diversity created by ethnic and religious minorities. Judah Maccabee’s great victory may well have prevented the total disappearance of the Jewish faith.
Despite the fact that Hanukkah is the most recognized Jewish holiday among non-Jews, it has far less religious importance in Judaism than other holidays such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover, and Shavu’ot. In fact, the story of Judah Maccabee and his triumph over Antiochus are not even mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures. Some say that many ancient rabbis had concerns about the story and the military violence it entailed, and therefore they downplayed the importance of Hanukkah to the Jewish faith. Nonetheless, Hanukkah continues to be eagerly celebrated by adults and children alike.
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