The festival of Hanukkah is an important part of Jewish culture. It marks the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus IV and celebrates the cleansing and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah is an eight-day festival, but when was the first one?
Table of Contents
When Was the First Hanukkah?
Hanukkah has popped up in Jewish culture and literature since the Maccabees’ victory in the second century BCE, but there is no evidence of the celebration of a Hanukkah festival until much later. According to the Talmud, the first celebration of Hanukkah took place sometime between 165 and 160 BCE.
Resh LaKish’s Theory
The earliest record of an actual celebration of the Hanukkah festival comes from Resh LaKish. He wrote that a Hanukkah festival was held in the second century of the Common Era (CE) to commemorate an event that occurred in the first century. According to his theory, the establishment of the first Hanukkah occurred in response to the Roman victory that destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE.
The Creation of the Talmud of Jerusalem
The Talmud of Jerusalem mentioned Hanukkah as the festival of Dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem and provided clear instructions on how the festival should be celebrated. This was the first time a Hanukkah festival was clearly mentioned in Jewish texts, and its importance was emphasized by Biblical interpretations associated with Hanukkah.
The Celebrations
The festival of Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish people all over the world. Depending on the customs of the individual community, there are a variety of activities that can happen during the eight day festival. Traditionally, a nine branched menorah (or Hanukiah) is lit every day of Hanukkah as a way of remembering the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. Foods fried in oil are served to commemorate the oil that burned without being refilled. Ritual objects are exchanged as gifts, and children receive gelt (coins) as part of the celebration.
In conclusion, the first celebration of Hanukkah dates back to the second century CE, though there is evidence of the celebration of a Hanukkah festival much earlier. The celebration of Hanukkah serves as a reminder of the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus IV, and of the cleansing and rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. The festival is marked by lighting a menorah (or Hanukiah) every day of Hanukkah, eating traditional fried foods, exchanging gifts, and giving children gelt.
Related Products:
- When Was The First Time Hanukkah Was Celebrated?
- What Year Was Hanukkah First Celebrated?
- When Was Hanukkah Started?
- When Was Hanukkah Created?
- Where Was Hanukkah Originated?
- What Was The First Day Of Hanukkah?
- Why Was Hanukkah Created?
- What Year Was Hanukkah Created?
- When Was Hanukkah?
- When Was Hanukkah Established?
- When Was Hanukkah Founded?
- When Was The First Hanukkah Celebrated?
- When Was Hanukkah First Celebrated?
- What Year Was Hanukkah?
- When Was The First Night Of Hanukkah?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.