On the evening before Hanukkah
The name of this holiday probably comes from the expression chanukat ha-mizbeach (“consecration [renewal] of the altar”), which occurred immediately after the liberation of the Temple by the Maccabees and its purification from idols. Another explanation interprets the name of the holiday differently: חנוכה חנו כ“ה, meaning ”rested [from enemies] on the 25th [day of the month of Kislev]”.
Another name for the holiday, Hag Urim (“festival of lights”), was first mentioned by Josephus. In Russian-speaking circles, it has also become commonly known as the “festival of light”.
According to one opinion cited in the Talmud, Judah Maccabee and his companions organized a celebration to make up for the Sukkot holiday that had been missed by the rebels. The holiday had been missed due to civil war and the ritual desecration of the Temple by pagans.
According to the legend preserved in the Talmud, when Judah Maccabee and his soldiers cleansed the Temple, they could not find ritually pure oil that would be suitable for lighting the menorah and consecrating the Temple. After a long search, a small jug of pure oil was found, but it was so small that it would only be enough to keep the menorah burning for one day. However, the Maccabees decided to light the menorah anyway, since the Temple had to be consecrated, and then a miracle happened — the oil lasted exactly eight days, which was exactly the time needed to prepare new pure oil to fill each of the seven lamps of the menorah. In memory of this miracle, the holiday of Hanukkah has been celebrated for eight days ever since.
Israel hosted the national championship in international draughts according to the Rapid program. On the evening before Hanukkah, 20 respected and still young draughts players competed for medals. Friendship and good spirits prevailed.
The results can be seen below.