Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, in the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the Maccabees’ military victory over the Greek-Syrian armies that had conquered Judah and outlawed the practice of Judaism. During Hanukkah, special prayers are held, traditional foods are eaten, and the menorah is lit. The holiday also has a strong emphasis on celebrating the miracles that occurred during the battle and Festival of Lights.
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What is Hanukkah Wikipedia?
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays. The festival lasts for eight days and celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple of Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. During this time, Jews celebrate the miracles performed by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, who were able to defeat the Greek-Syrian armies and restore the Temple to its former glory.
The Historic Battle of Hanukkah
The story of Hanukkah begins when Antiochus IV Epiphanes invaded Judah. He outlawed practicing Judaism and even ordered the desecration of the Holy Temple. To restore freedom to his people, Judah Maccabee and his brothers—the Maccabees—fought against Antiochus and his mighty armies. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Maccabees emerged victorious. When Judah and his brothers reclaimed the Temple, they sought to rededicate it in the name of God.
The Miracle of the Oil Lamp
The Temple only had enough consecrated oil to keep the lamp lit for one day, yet the miracle of Hanukkah was that it lasted for eight days. Accounts of this miracle vary, but the tradition of lighting the menorah for eight days to celebrate the rededication of the Temple is a fundamental part of the holiday.
Observing Hanukkah
- Lighting Candles in the Menorah: Every night of Hanukkah, a new candle is lit in the menorah, eventually culminating in a display of eight candles together. A ninth candle, called the Shamash, is used to light the other eight.
- Dreidel Games: A four-sided spinning top known as a dreidel is used in a game for children which revolves around collecting and winning “gelt”—money.
- Eating Traditional Hanukkah Foods: Foods fried in oil, such as potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts), are enjoyed throughout Hanukkah. This is to commemorate the miracle of the oil during the rededication of the Temple.
Hanukkah is an important part of Jewish culture and is celebrated across the globe in December each year. Although generally regarded as a “minor” holiday, it marks an important time of religious freedom and has become an occasion for gift-giving, connecting with family, playing games, and feasting on traditional foods.
No matter how one chooses to celebrate Hanukkah, the idea of remembering a time of hardship and joy is a message that transcends generations of Jewish people and has relevance to all people living in a world of uncertainty.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.