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Year 5 - Religious education

The story of Hanukkah

Jews: how does remembering maintain Jewish identity?

Unit Summary

In this unit pupils will study three Jewish festivals and the stories connected to them: Rosh Hashanah, Purim and Chanukah. They will make links between the stories of Esther and Judas Maccabee and the continuing survival of Jews. They will examine diversity within these festivals.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to retell the story of Hanukkah and explain how it is interpreted by different Jews.

Key Notes

  • Hanukkah is a Jewish festival.
  • It recalls the victory and freedom of Jews when they were oppressed by the Greek Empire.
  • King Antiochus demanded that Jews bowed down to statues of him. Judah Maccabee and other Jews fought back.
  • They repaired the temple and lit the oil lamp in the holiest place.
  • The festival traditionally lasts for eight days to celebrate the miracle of the oil lasting eight days.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • Hanukkah: Jewish festival of light celebrated in Autumn
  • oppressed: treated in a way that is cruel or not fair
  • sacred: an object or place that is set apart to be holy
  • desecrate: to destroy the sacredness of an object or place
  • menorah: a seven-branched candle-holder used as a symbol of Judaism

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • A menorah is just a decorative candle-holder.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the lesson in two key points.

Hanukkah is a Jewish festival. It recalls the victory and freedom of Jews when they were oppressed by the Greek Empire.

2. What does this key word mean in this lesson? 'Hanukkah'

Jewish festival of light celebrated in Autumn.

3. Correct this common mistake.

Mistake: A menorah is just a decorative candle-holder. Correction: A menorah has a deep significance for Jews as a symbol of G_d and the days of creation.

More Lessons In This Unit

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