Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday lasting eight days and nights that celebrates the Maccabees’ rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BC. Jewish people around the world spell it Hanukkah, but this isn’t the only way the holiday is written. In this article, we’ll look at two other ways it can be spelled and why.
Chanukah
The most commonly used alternate spelling for Hanukkah is Chanukah. This spelling is often used in Hebrew translations. It is also sometimes favored by American Jews who were raised in Reform, Conservative, and Reconstructionist traditions. In these congregations, the spelling is often seen on signs and educational materials.
Chanuka
Another alternative spelling is Chanuka. This spelling is often used in Israeli Hebrew, and it is often used by Orthodox Jews in American Jewish synagogues. It is also seen in Israeli signs and educational materials.
Why Do Different Spellings Exist?
The different spellings of Hanukkah are derived from the fact that Hebrew does not use the letter “H” as an initial letter. In other words, this means that the letter “H” is silent in Hebrew. As a result, many Hebrew words beginning with “H” are sometimes written without the “H” in Hebrew. That is why the three different spellings of Hanukkah exist.
Which Spelling Is Right?
At the end of the day, all three spellings are correct and each serve their own purpose. While Chanukah is most commonly used when writing in English, Chanuka is most common when writing in Israeli Hebrew. However, many Jews use all three spellings interchangeably or with no regard for their origin.
In conclusion, there are three different ways to spell Hanukkah in English and Hebrew – Chanukah, Chanuka and Hanukkah. Each spelling has its own purpose, depending on the language and the congregation in which it is written. However, all three spellings are technically correct. No matter which spelling you use, all three spellings of Hanukkah will be understood and accepted by Jewish people around the world.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.