Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday which is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm each year around the world. Also known as the Festival of Lights, Hanukkah originates from the story of the Maccabean revolt. The story is commemorated and celebrated with various activities including lighting candles on the Menorah, eating traditional Hanukkah foods, play with a four-sided spinning top (dreidel), and give gifts of small money (gelt).
History
Hanukkah centers around the story of the Maccabean revolt. In 167 BCE, the Jews in Israel, led by Judah Maccabee, ran an uprising against the oppressive Syrian-Greeks, called the Maccabean revolt. Despite their small numbers and military inferiority, the Maccabees suceeded in their cause, overthrowing the Syrians and reclaiming the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
After rededicating the temple, the Jews lit a menorah, a candelabra with eight branches. Though they had only enough oil to last a day, it miraculously lasted eight days until more could be procured – hence the origin of the eight-day celebration that is now known as Hanukkah.
Customs
To honour this miracle, the celebration of Hanukkah typically involves lighting a special menorah with eight branches, called the Chanukiah, with a ninth candle that is the shamash (servant). On each night of Hanukkah, a new candle is lit, beginning with one for the first night, two for the second night, and so on.
Other traditions involve eating special foods cooked with oil, playing with a four-sided spinning top (dreidel), and exchanging gifts of chocolate coins or money (gelt). Most of these traditions either represent symbolic reminders of the miracle of light or refer directly to the events of the Maccabean revolt.
Hanukkah is a joyous holiday that celebrates peace, freedom, and miracles. It’s wonderful to be part of such an empowering tradition, one that brings a spirit of optimism and hope. Celebrating Hanukkah with family and friends reminds us to never forget our past, while always looking forward to the future.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.