Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration of freedom and miracles. Every winter Jewish people all over the world observe Hanukkah by lighting a unique Hanukkah menorah, eating traditional foods, and playing dreidel games. But why do they celebrate Hanukkah?
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What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is an eight-day holiday on the Hebrew calendar, starting on the 25th of Kislev (usually falling in November or December). It is also known as the Festival of Lights, as Jews celebrate by lighting their menorah in their homes. This holiday has been celebrated for thousands of years, going back to the second century BCE, when a group of Jewish revolts called the Maccabees freed the Jewish people from the rule of the Greek-Syrians.
The Miracle of the Oil
The Maccabees re-consecrated the Temple in Jerusalem and wanted to light the menorah, but only found enough oil for one day’s worth of light. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, and this is why we celebrate Hanukkah for 8 days. Even today, Jews commemorate this miracle by lighting the menorah for 8 nights during Hanukkah.
The Hanukkah Meal
The traditional Hanukkah meal is fried in oil, to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Foods that are commonly a part of the meal include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiot (jelly-filled donuts), and kugel (a baked pudding-like dish).
Spinning the Dreidel
During Hanukkah, Jewish children and adults alike have the opportunity to play dreidel games using a four-sided top with the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hey, and shin. These letters symbolize the saying, “A great miracle happened here.” This is related to the miracle of oil, for if not for the miracle of the oilHanukkah would not exist.
Hanukkah is an important reminder of the power of faith, miracles, and perseverance. Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah as a sign of their freedom and resilience, and as a way to remember the past while still looking forward to the future. The joy, food, and gifts of Hanukkah remind the Jewish people of the power of miracles and that Hashem, the Almighty, is with them every step of the way.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.