▷ Why Do Jewish People Celebrate Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, is the Jewish Festival of Lights, and is celebrated annually for eight days between the 25th of Kislev and the 2nd of Tevet. For over 2,000 years, Jewish people have commemorated this holiday that celebrates religious freedom and the miracle of the single jar of oil lasting eight days. But why do Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah?

The Story Behind Hanukkah

In 165 BCE, the Syrian-Greeks were in control of Israel and Jewish people were not allowed to practice their religion. A Jewish priest named Mattathias and his five sons rose up against the Syrian-Greeks and began a revolt. The Jewish people’s victory in their revolt is celebrated during Hanukkah and is known as the Maccabean Revolt.

The Temple in Jerusalem that had been taken over by the Syrian-Greeks needed to be re-dedicated and the Maccabees found only one jar of oil that was still sealed by the High Priest. They wanted to use this oil to light the menorah, but there was only enough to last for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights, providing enough time to find more oil to keep the menorah lit.

Education is an important part of the Hanukkah holiday because the books that were taken away from the Jewish people during the battles were recovered by the Maccabees. Even to this day, scrolls of Jewish Scripture are publicly read during the Hanukkah service.

Hanukkah Traditions

Hanukkah celebrations include a number of traditions. Every night during the eight-day holiday, Jewish families gather to kindle the Menorah. On each night, one more candle is lit until all 8 are illuminated. Other important Hanukkah traditions include playing with the four-sided spinning top known as a Dreydle and exchanging small gifts of money called “gelt”.

In addition, special Hanukkah foods are enjoyed as part of the festivities. Common Hanukkah recipes are potato latkes, a type of fried potato pancake, or sufganiyot, a type of jelly donut.

The Significance of Hanukkah

During Hanukkah, Jewish people come together to celebrate both their traditions and the religious freedom granted by the Macabees over 2000 years ago. The holiday is also seen as a reminder to continue to fight for religious freedom and be grateful for the religious practices that are allowed in modern times.

Hanukkah offers the chance for Jewish people to come together to remember the historic victory, acknowledge the miracle of the oil-burning and to celebrate the significance of religious freedom. The holiday serves to remind Jewish people how important the practices of their faith are, even in today’s world.

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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.