God said,"Let there be Light" (יְהִי אוֹר).
Light is the overarching, central, definitive metaphor for understanding of all of reality ~ Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf.
The axial tilt of our planet has given us reasons and seasons to feast, one such is the winter festival of Lights. Various civilisations across the globe celebrate the feast of lights at various seasons.The oldest civilisations of the world,the Tamils and Jews celebrate their feast of lights 'Karthikai Deepam' and 'Hanukkah',on the same season.
The axial tilt of our planet has given us reasons and seasons to feast, one such is the winter festival of Lights. Various civilisations across the globe celebrate the feast of lights at various seasons.The oldest civilisations of the world,the Tamils and Jews celebrate their feast of lights 'Karthikai Deepam' and 'Hanukkah',on the same season.
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| Karthikai Deepam |
The festival of Karthikai Deepam is observed in almost every home in Tamil Nadu and Eezham, and falls in the month of Kārttikai (mid-November to mid-December) as per Tamil calendar. This occurs on the day when the moon is in conjunction with the constellation Karthigai (Pleiades) and pournami. The significance of this feast is the 'formation' or 'establishment' of the Six-faced star/Arumugam.
The feast is celebrated by lighting up rows of Agal vilakkus (Clay Oil lamps)in every house. The lighted lamp is considered an auspicious symbol. It is believed to ward off evil forces and usher in prosperity and joy. While the lighted lamp (KuthuVizhakku) is important for all Tamil rituals and festivals, it is indispensable for Karthigai.
The Jewish feast of lights 'Hanukkah',itself means 'Establishing' or 'Dedicating' commemorating the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar.
The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. According to the Talmud, a late text, the Temple was purified and the wicks of the menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day's lighting.
It is celebrated by lighting candles each night,Singing special songs, such as Ma'oz Tzur,reciting Hallel prayer,eating foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods,playing the dreidel game, and giving Hanukkah gelt.
