Hanukkah is a Jewish festival that celebrates the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, centuries ago. But who was the individual or group responsible for initiating the occasion? While no definitive answer exists, various theories and interpretations explain possible origins of the eight day joyful holiday.
Table of Contents
The Traditions Behind the Festival
The Talmud, a Jewish book of rabbinical discussions, attributes the origins of Hanukkah to the Hasmoneans, a group of Jewish priests, scholars, and warriors. According to one of the most popular traditions of Hanukkah, the Hasmoneans restored Jewish sovereignty in Judaea in 160 BCE after their successful revolt against the oppressive Seleucid king, Antiochus IV Epiphanes.
The Victory of the Maccabees
The Hasmoneans are sometimes referred to as “Maccabees”, after Judas Maccabee, the most famous Hasmonean leader. The Maccabees led a small, dedicated army against a vast Syrian-Greek force. During the revolt, the Maccabees reclaimed and rededicated the temple that had been defiled by Antiochus. For this reason, Hanukkah is sometimes referred to as Miluʾim (re-dedication), as established by Jewish law code the Mishnah.
The Significance of Lights
The Talmud also records that when the Hasmoneans rededicated the temple, they wanted to light its menorah, or seven-branched temple candelabrum, and found only one container of olive oil kasher l’mehadrin with enough oil to stay lit for one night. However, by an act of Divine intervention, the flame of the menorah stayed alight for eight days until new supplies of oil could be obtained. To commemorate this miracle, observances of Hanukkah involve the nightly lighting of a beautiful nine branch futuristic Hanukkah menorah also known as a Hanukkiah.
Honoring the Tradition
In contemporary times, many people observe the ritual of Hedyot (lighting of the candle) to celebrate Hanukkah for eight days and nights. This cycle is usually observed by:
- Lighting the Hanukkiah with either olive oil or wax candles.
- Saying the special Hanukkah blessing
- Singing holiday songs and sharing traditional foods like latkes and sufganiyot.
Overall, Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday that commemorates the successful uprising against the Syrian-Greeks and the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem. Although the actual origin and founding of the holiday could not be definitively answered, the traditions behind the festival of lights have been passed down from generation to generation, as a way to celebrate and honor the brave Jewish fighters who sacrificed for their faith and way of life.
Related Products:
- When Was Hanukkah Founded?
- Who Invented Hanukkah?
- Who Started Hanukkah?
- Who Created Hanukkah?
- Happy Hanukkah To Those Who Celebrate?
- Who Did The Maccabees Fight On Hanukkah?
- Who Celebrates Hanukkah What Country?
- Who Lights The Candles At Hanukkah?
- Who Celebrates Hanukkah And Why?
- Who Made Hanukkah?
- Who Were The Maccabees? Why Are They Remembered During Hanukkah?
- Who Celebrates Hanukkah?
- Who Celebrate Hanukkah?
- Happy Hanukkah To All Who Celebrate?
- Who Is Hanukkah?
Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.