Hanukkah is a special holiday celebrated by Jews all around the world. Many know about it, but what people often don’t know is what book is Hanukkah in? There is actually no single book dedicated exclusively to the celebration of Hanukkah, but there are certain parts of the Hebrew Bible that address many aspects of the holiday. Understanding what is written in these pieces will help anyone become an expert on the holiday.
Table of Contents
The Hebrew Bible and Hanukkah
The Hebrew Bible, also known as the Tanakh, consists of three sections: the Torah, the Nevi’im and the Kethuvim. It is in these texts, such as the Books of Maccabees, where a lot of information about Hanukkah can be found.
The Books of Maccabees
The Books of Maccabees are a set of texts with information about the Maccabean Revolt, a fight for Jewish independence from 166 BCE to 142 BCE. They are the earliest source of information about Hanukkah.
The First Book of Maccabees is part of the Septuagint, an ancient Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. It tells the story of the Maccabean Revolt and describes the Jewish victory over the Seleucid Empire. It also discusses the cleansing of the Temple and the rededication of the altar, featuring the story of the Miracle of the Oil.
The Second Book of Maccabees is not part of the Hebrew Bible but can be found in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Syrian Orthodox Bibles. It is an additional source for learning more about the Maccabean Revolt and it provides further insight on the events surrounding the origins of Hanukkah.
The Book of Esther
The Book of Esther, or the Megillah, is a short book which provides a different version of some of the events in the Book of Maccabees. It more specifically focuses on the holiday of Purim which takes place on the 14th day of Adar, the month of Hanukkah. It tells about how King Ahasuerus is tricked by the wicked Haman and how Queen Esther and Mordecai help Jews to survive.
Additional Texts
While there is no single book dedicated exclusively to the celebration of Hanukkah, it is mentioned in the Talmud, the written form of Jewish law. The Talmud dates back to the earliest centuries of the Common Era and it provides instructions on lighting the menorah and other aspects of the holiday.
In addition, specific prayers such as Al Hanisim, are part of the liturgy of Hanukkah. This prayer is recited during the rabbinic services throughout the holiday and it also mentions the event of the Maccabean Revolt. It talks about the Maccabees’ reclaiming of the Temple and the victory of the Jews over their oppressors.
In conclusion, although there is no singular book dedicated to the history of Hanukkah, several pieces across the Hebrew Bible provide a comprehensive look of the amazing events that occurred during the Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Second Temple. From the Books of Maccabees to the Book of Esther and various Hebrew laws, understanding all the parts of these texts will help anyone gain a complete understanding of the original Hanukkah story.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.