Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration in the second century. It is customary to light the 9-branched Menorah (an 8-branched candelabrum with the ninth candle, the Shamash, used to light the others) in the evening and recite special blessings for the holiday. But how did Hanukkah originate? Where does it come from?
The origin of Hanukkah lies in the Maccabean Revolt of 167 BCE, when the Jews led by the Maccabees (or Hasmoneans) revolted against the armies of the Hellenistic King Antiochus IV of Syria. Antiochus had outlawed Jewish religious practices and tried to force his Hellenistic culture and religion upon the Jews. After a long and difficult struggle, the Maccabees ultimately defeated the much larger and better-equipped Syrian army.
When the Maccabees returned to Jerusalem, they found the Temple desecrated and the Menorah extinguished. The Maccabees lit a new Menorah, but found only enough sacred oil in the Temple to light the Menorah for one night. Miraculously, the Menorah stayed lit for 8 nights–the time it took to produce a new batch of oil that was acceptable for the Temple rituals. This miracle is commemorated each year during Hanukkah with the lighting of the Menorah.
Beside the lighting of the Menorah, which is done on all eight nights of Hanukkah, traditional Hanukkah foods are also enjoyed. The most popular of these is the deep-fried jelly-filled donut (called “latkes” in Yiddish, or “sufganiyot” in Hebrew), which is symbolic of the oil that burned for 8 days. Other traditional Hanukkah treats are chocolate coins (known as “gelt”) that are used to play “dreidel,” a four-sided spinning top, with the children.
Hanukkah has become a beloved annual holiday, celebrated in Jewish families both near and far, as a reminder of the Jews’ struggle for religious freedom. It has been interpreted through the years as a celebration of spiritual as well as physical recovery–a testament to the strength of faith. It is an opportunity to join with family and friends to reflect on our history, our faith, and the miraculous nature of how it all plays out, year after year.
Therefore, Hanukkah is a celebration of light, of Jewish resilience, and of the power of faith. It is an eight-day festival full of traditions, fun, and joy.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.