Hanukkah is an important holiday in the Jewish faith, celebrated by both Jews and non-Jews around the world. It is an eight-day festival of lights that commemorates the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. This event followed the victory of the Maccabees, a small army of Jewish people, over the much bigger Hellenistic army of Greece. Hanukkah is also known as the Feast of Dedication and the Festival of Lights.
What Does The Jewish Feast Of Hanukkah Celebrate?
Hanukkah celebrates two miracles that occurred during the Jewish people’s fight for religious freedom. The first miracle was the lighting of the Menorah – the ceremonial seven-branched candelabra – during the re-dedication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. According to Jewish legend, when the Maccabees entered the Temple, they found that all of the sacred vessels had been desecrated by the other army. The Maccabees only had enough oil to light the Menorah for one day, but miraculously, the oil burned for eight days – which is why Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days.
The second miracle that Hanukkah commemorates is the military victory of a small group of Jews over a much larger enemy. This story is symbolic of the Jewish people’s ability to fight for their religious freedom against great odds.
The holiday is celebrated through a variety of rituals and activities, which include lighting a special menorah – known as a Hanukkiah – each night of the holiday, eating traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and playing traditional games such as dreidel.
Hanukkah is a time to celebrate the Jewish people’s spiritual and physical survival throughout their centuries-long fight for freedom and justice. From its roots in the Maccabean revolt to its current celebration as a vibrant holiday of light, Hanukkah continues to be an important part of the Jewish faith and a source of hope and inspiration for all people.
Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that is celebrated by Jews and non-Jews alike – a reminder of resilience, freedom, and the power of faith.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.