Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of rededication in which a candle is lit each night for eight nights. It is arguably one of the most beloved holidays in the Jewish calendar. So, just how old is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah dates back more than two-thousand years, with many people citing the time of the Second Temple era as the origin of the holiday. This would mean that the celebration has been present since at least 164 BCE and may have even started in 168 BCE when a group of Jewish people, known as the Maccabees, fought and won a battle against a much larger Seleucid Empire.
Macabean Revolt
The Seleucid Empire wanted to Hellenize the Jews which meant introducing and promoting the culture and religions of Greeks which contradicted the Jewish faith and its practice. The Jewish people decided to take an oath not to yield to these practices and decided to fight for their freedom. This small group of Jewish people was known as the Maccabees, and their revolt succeeded against the much stronger forces of the Seleucid Empire.
The Miracle of the Oil
The ultimate miracle that made Hanukkah live on is the Miracle of the Oil. After reclaiming the Temple and when it came time to re-dedicate it which tradition required a special oil that could only be created by a pure flame meant only for that purpose was needed. It wasn’t until they found a single cruse of oil, which only had enough to last a single day, that the miracle occurred. This small cruse lasted for eight nights which was more than enough to complete the re-dedication of the Temple.
The beginning of Hanukkah
The original commemoration of the story of the Macabean Revolt and the Miracle of the Oil is thought to have begun with festivals and a period of rejoicing for the eight days of re-dedication. According to the Talmud, this is when Hanukkah began and continues to this day as an eight-day Jewish holiday.
Hanukkah has been around for centuries and commemorates a miracle in which a small cruse of oil burned for eight days providing enough time to re-dedicate the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The festival is celebrated each year as it has been since at least 164 BCE, marking its longevity as one of the longest-running Jewish holidays still celebrated today.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.