Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 139 BC. The holiday is rooted in a Jewish uprising led by Judah Maccabee against King Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who had outlawed Jewish practices and desecrated their Temple.

When the Maccabees regained control, they cleansed and rededicated the Temple. According to tradition, they found only a small flask of consecrated oil to light the Temple’s menorah (candelabrum), enough to last one day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, giving time to prepare more purified oil. This miracle is the central event commemorated by Hanukkah.

Hanukkah celebrates themes of religious freedom, perseverance, and divine intervention. It reminds Jews of their ancestors’ determination to preserve their faith in the face of oppression. The holiday symbolizes hope, light, and the triumph of spirituality over persecution. The following are some holiday traditions.

Lighting the Menorah: Each night of Hanukkah, one additional candle is lit on the nine-branched menorah, also called a hanukkiah, until all eight candles (plus the shamash, the helper candle) are lit on the final night. The lighting is accompanied by blessings and songs, such as Maoz Tzur.

Dreidel Game: A four-sided spinning top, or dreidel, is played with during Hanukkah. Each side features a Hebrew letter: Nun, Gimel, Hei, Shin (or Pe in Israel), which stand for “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (“A great miracle happened there”). Players use coins, nuts, or chocolates as tokens.

Eating Fried Foods: Foods fried in oil, like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), commemorate the miracle of the oil.

Giving Gifts: While not originally a gift-giving holiday, exchanging gifts or giving Hanukkah gelt (money) has become a tradition, especially in modern times.

Prayers and Songs: Special prayers like Hallel and blessings of gratitude are recited during Hanukkah, celebrating God’s miracles and protection.

Menorah during Hanukkah

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