The celebration of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is rooted in Jewish history. But who exactly invented this beloved holiday and when did it start? This article delves into the history of Hanukkah, exploring the origins of the eight-day celebration, to answer the question, who invented it?
The Maccabees & The Greek Occupation of Judea
The story of Hanukkah begins with the occupation of Judea in 167 B.C.E by the Greek-Syrian army led by King Antiochus. The Judeans were commanded to stop practicing their religion and instead start worshipping the Greek gods. A small group of Jews, known as the Maccabees, rose up in the hills of Israel and organized a rebellion against their oppressors. The Maccabees eventually regained control of Jerusalem, and were led by Judah Maccabee.
The Miracle of the Oil
The Maccabees wanted to rededicate an important temple, or “The House of the Lord”, now known as the Second Temple of Jerusalem. To do this, they needed to light the menorah, an eight-armed candelabra. Though they only had a single container of oil that would last only a day, they lit the menorah nonetheless. Miraculously, the oil kept burning for eight days, making the miracle of the oil a key part of the Hanukkah narrative.
Invention of Hanukkah
Hanukkah is likely a combination of two Hebrew words – “chanuk” and “yah” – which mean “dedication” and “God”; hence “the Festival of Dedication to God”. This festival has its origins in the Jewish books of the Maccabees. To commemorate the victory of the Maccabees and the miracle of oil, the rabbis made up special holiday laws and Hanukkah was born.
So the question, who invented Hanukkah, can be answered definitively: While its exact origins are unknown, it likely originated with the rabbinic authors of the Maccabees who created special laws to commemorate the Maccabees’ victory over the oppressors, and the miracle of the oil. Knowing the history of Hanukkah can make the celebration even richer, as its so much more than a fun eight-day holiday. It is a reminder of the power of faith, resilience and a reminder of the incredible victory of the Maccabees.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.