Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrated in honor of a miracle that happened in Jerusalem more than 2000 years ago. The Maccabees had liberated the Temple from the Greek-Syrians and rededicated it to serve the one God, declaring it a symbol of freedom of religion. The Jewish people celebrated for eight days, even though they miraculously found only enough oil to light a small lamp for one day. This religious celebration has become an integral part of Jewish heritage and the reasons for its existence are many, varied, and simple.
Hanukkah is traditionally celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Greeks. It’s celebrated by lighting the menorah and enjoying special foods, activities, and commemorative items. For many Jews, Hanukkah is an enduring celebration of religious freedom and resilience in the face of adversity.The Festival of Light
Hanukkah is associated with light, both due to the miracle of the oil and its place in the calendar; the holiday marks the start of winter, when darkness is more thick that any other time of the year. The miracle of the oil is re-enacted each night of the holiday with the ceremonial lighting of the menorah. The menorah features nine branches, one for each night of the holiday, with one additional branch, called the Shamash, to light the other branches.
The Dreidel
The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top — each side is marked with a Hebrew letter that form an acronym standing for “a great miracle happened there”. It is used as part of a children’s game of chance, which is meant to commemorate the miracle of the oil.
A Time of Eating
Another traditional part of any Hanukkah celebration is the eating of sufganiyot (fried doughnuts) and other deep-fried treats like potato latkes, or pancakes, as these are all reminders of the miracle in which a small jug of oil miraculously lasted a full eight days.
Gifts and Charity
Giving gifts is a minor custom associated with Hanukkah. It’s traditional for parents to give children a small gift each night, and for adults to exchange small gifts as a gesture of goodwill. It is also customary for individuals to give charity on each night of celebration.
In summary, Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday which celebrates the liberation of the Temple from the Greeks. It commemorates the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days for the menorah, as well as, the triumph of religious freedom and resilience in the face of adversity. During the holiday, families light the menorah, spin the dreidel, exchange small gifts, and eat traditional food that remembers the miracle of oil. Ultimately, Hanukkah is a time for family, friends, and traditions that make it one of the most beloved holidays of the Jewish year.
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Last update 2023-11-27. Price and product availability may change.