Hanukkah is one of the few Jewish holidays with a specific date and historical context. Celebrated for eight days beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, The Festival of Lights (as Hanukkah is commonly called) commemorates the successful fight for religious freedom by a small band of Jewish soldiers and their leader, Judah Maccabee. But when was Hanukkah established?
The story of Hanukkah began in the second century BCE in Judea, when a small Jewish kingdom battled the Greek-Syrian empire. The Greeks, led by King Antiochus IV, imposed restrictions on Jewish customs, threatening the Jewish people’s right to religious freedom. Finally, a band of Jewish warriors led by Judah Maccabee rose up against the Greek-Syrians and eventually regained control of their temple in Jerusalem. The Jews celebrated the event, lighting the temple’s Menorah, and beginning an age old tradition of lighting the menorah each year in memory of this event.
When Was Hanukkah Established?
The exact date of when Hanukkah was established is not exactly known. The earliest historical sources say that the Maccabees’ victory happened in 164 BCE, and it is not known when the first observance of Hanukkah began. Historians agree, however, that this holiday was celebrated in one form or another before the year 70CE.
The Miracle of the Oil
The story of Hanukkah is also tied to a miracle that happened after the temple was rededicated. As the story goes, they only had enough oil to last for one night – yet miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. To commemorate the miracle, a tradition of lighting an eight-branched Menorah was established.
The Eight-Day Festival
The Talmud, a collection of texts detailing many aspects of Jewish law and custom, calls for an 8-day festival to celebrate the Temple’s rededication. This 8-day festival of joy now marks the celebration of Hanukkah, and is celebrated by Jews all around the world. During this festival, Jews observe different customs such as lighting the Menorah, playing Dreidel games, and exchanging gifts with friends and family.
In conclusion, Hanukkah is a celebration of Jewish freedom which was established during the second century BCE when a small Jewish kingdom fought the Greek-Syrian empire to regain control of the temple in Jerusalem. The exact date of when Hanukkah was established is unknown, however historians agree it was celebrated before the year 70 CE. Hanukkah is observed with different customs, such as lighting the Menorah, playing Dreidel games, and exchanging gifts with friends and family.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.