Hanukkah is one of the most well-known celebrations in the Jewish calendar, and it is celebrated in honor of the rededication of the Jewish Temple after it was liberated from Antiochus IV of Seleucid Empire in the year 164 BCE. It is celebrated for eight days with prayers, blessings, exchanging gifts, eating special fried foods as well as playing with the traditional dreidel game. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights, and it is a time for Jewish families to come together to share the joys of their religion and culture.
Hanukkah is known by different names by different groups of people. In English, it is often referred to as the Feast of Dedication, Feast of Lights, Festival of Lights, or the Festival of Dedication. In Hebrew, it is known as ‘Hanukkah’ (חֲנֻכָּה) or ‘Chanukah’ (חֲנֻכָּה). It is also referred to as ‘Ḥănukkah’ (חֲנֻכָּה) by the local Jewish population in Israel.
In Arabic, Hanukkah is known as ‘ħanūq,’ ‘’al-baḥīr’ or ‘al-ḥannūq,’ as well as ‘al-ḥanūq,’ ‘miḥnār’ and ‘miḥnār al-ḥanūq’ which is a colloquial name for the holiday. In Yiddish, it is called ‘Chanukah’ or ‘Ḥanikke’ and, in Ladino, it is called ‘Chanuka.’
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The History of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is a celebration of a Jewish revolt that took place 2,000 years ago. The revolt was led by the Maccabees against the tyranny of Antiochus IV of the Seleucid Empire. He had prohibited the practice of Judaism in Judea and had desecrated the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. After three years of fighting, the Maccabees were able to drive out the Seleucid’s forces from the Temple and rededicate it in the year 164 BCE.
Symbols of Hanukkah
The Menorah
The Menorah is a nine-branched candelabrum that is used to symbolize Hanukkah. The term ‘menorah’ is an English transliteration of the Hebrew word ‘מְנוֹרָה’mənōrāh’. According to the Talmud, the seven-lamp menorah (‘ner tamid’) was always present in the Temple in Jerusalem.
The Dreidel
The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with four Hebrew letters on each side. It is used in the traditional Hanukkah game and the letters stand for:
- Nun (נ) – Nes Gadol Hayah Sham (A great miracle happened there)
- Gimel (ג) – Nes Gadol Hayah Poe (A great miracle happened here)
- Hei (ה) – Halaylah Hazeh (This is the miracle)
- Shin (ש) – Shenishba (TheOne Who Wins)
Conclusion
Hanukkah is a memorable and important celebration in the Jewish calendar. It is a time for Jews to remember their history and their connection to their faith and culture. While the names for Hanukkah may vary depending on the language used, it is always a time for family and friends to gather together and share in the joy of their heritage and celebrate the Festival of Lights.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.