Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday that celebrates an old story. It remembers when a group called the Maccabees fought for their freedom. After they won, they returned to their holy place in Jerusalem and found a little oil. This oil was only supposed to last one day, but it burned for eight days!

That’s why Hanukkah lasts for eight nights and days.

During Hanukkah, families come together to light a special candle holder called a Hanukkah menorah. Each night, they add one more candle until all eight are lit on the last night. People also play a fun game called dreidel, eat tasty fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot, and sometimes give gifts. In many places, big public menorahs are lit to celebrate together.

Even though it’s not one of the most important Jewish holidays, Hanukkah is very popular, especially in the Western world. Many people enjoy it because it happens close to Christmas, making it a joyful time for families.

Etymology

The name "Hanukkah" comes from a Hebrew word that means "to dedicate." This is because, long ago, people called the Maccabees took back Jerusalem and rededicated a special building called the Temple. There are a few ideas about why the name is used:

• It can mean "they rested on the twenty-fifth," pointing to the day the holiday begins.
• It links to Jewish learning, showing the importance of learning and good advice.
• It is also an acronym for "Eight candles, and the Jewish law follows the teachings of Hillel," talking about a discussion on how to light the Hanukkah candles.

Alternative spellings

Hanukkah is most often written as Hanukkah or Chanukah in English. The spelling Hanukkah is liked best by big dictionaries and style guides.

Festival of Lights

In modern Hebrew, Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights, based on an old comment that calls the holiday a celebration of light. This name is used in English too.

Historical sources

The story of Hanukkah is told in the books of the First and Second Maccabees. These books describe the cleaning and opening of the Temple in Jerusalem and the lighting of the menorah. These books are not part of the main Jewish Bible but were included in Greek translations of the Bible. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches consider them part of their Old Testament.

Early Jewish sources mention Hanukkah as a time of celebration when fasting was forbidden. The Mishna, an important Jewish text, refers to Hanukkah. Later writings, such as the Talmud, tell how the Maccabees found only enough oil to burn for one day, but it lasted for eight days. This miracle is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.

The Jewish historian Titus Flavius Josephus wrote about how Judas Maccabeus celebrated the opening of the Temple with an eight-day festival, calling it the "Festival of Lights." The New Testament also mentions a festival of dedication in Jerusalem.

History

Background

Further information: Coele-Syria

After Alexander the Great died in 323 BCE, Judea became part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt. Later, King Antiochus III the Great of Syria took control and allowed Jewish people to follow their customs. But his son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, changed this and stopped Jewish religious practices.

Traditional view

Main article: Miracle of the cruse of oil

Because of Antiochus IV's actions, a Jewish priest named Mattathias and his sons started a fight against him. After Mattathias died, his son Judah led the fight. They succeeded in taking back Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple. Hanukkah was created to celebrate this victory. The tradition says that when they rededicated the Temple, they had only enough holy oil for one day, but it lasted for eight days. This is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.

Academic sources

Some historians think the conflict started because two groups of Jews disagreed over who should be the High Priest. Antiochus IV got involved, which led to the ban on Jewish practices. The story of the miracle of the oil was written down much later and many see it as a legend.

Timeline

Further information: Timeline of the Second Temple period and Hasmonean Judea § History

• 198 BCE: Antiochus III took control of Judea.
• 175 BCE: Antiochus IV became king.
• 168 BCE: Antiochus IV stopped Jewish practices.
• 167 BCE: Mattathias and his sons began their revolt.
• 166–164 BCE: Judah led battles against Seleucid forces.
• 164 BCE: The Maccabees took back Jerusalem and started Hanukkah.
• 160–143 BCE: Jonathan led the Jewish people after Judah's death.
• 142 BCE: Judea became independent under Simon Thassi.
• 139 BCE: The Roman Senate recognized Jewish autonomy.
• 134 BCE: Antiochus VII allowed Jewish autonomy.
• 129 BCE: Antiochus VII died, and Judea grew under John Hyrcanus.
• 96 BCE: A civil war began between Alexander Jannaeus and others.
• 85–82 BCE: The Hasmonean kingdom expanded.
• 76–67 BCE: Salome Alexandra ruled with support.
• 63 BCE: The Roman Republic ended the Hasmonean Kingdom.

Battles of the Maccabean Revolt

Main article: Maccabean Revolt

Key battles include:

• Battle with Apollonius and Battle with Seron: Judas Maccabeus won against small forces.
• Battle of Emmaus: Judas made a surprise night attack.
• Battle of Beth Zur: Judas captured Jerusalem.
• Battle of Beth Zechariah: The Seleucids won.
• Battle of Adasa: Judas defeated and killed Nicanor.
• Battle of Elasa: Judas was killed, and Jonathan took leadership.

Characters and heroes

Main article: Maccabees

Important figures include:

• Matityahu the Priest
• Judah the Maccabee
• Eleazar the Maccabee
• Simon the Maccabee
• Johanan the Maccabee
• Jonathan the Maccabee
• Antiochus IV Epiphanes
• Judith

Rituals

Hanukkah is celebrated with special daily rituals over eight days. Families and communities add prayers to their daily services and say extra blessings after meals. Unlike Shabbat, people can go to work during Hanukkah, though many try to leave early to light the Hanukkah lights at nightfall. In Israel, schools often close during Hanukkah.

Families often exchange gifts each night and give out Hanukkah gelt, or candy money, to children. Fried foods like potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly doughnuts (sufganiyot) are popular because they use oil, reminding people of the miracle of Hanukkah.

Kindling the Hanukkah lights

Each night, one more light is added to the Hanukkah menorah, a special candelabrum with nine branches. An extra light called the shammash is used to light the others. By the end of the holiday, all nine lights shine together.

The lights are placed where people can see them, like in a window, to remind others of the holiday’s story. Some families have one menorah for the whole household, while others use separate ones for each person.

The lights should burn for at least half an hour after sunset. People usually light them at dusk, but some wait until dark. On Friday, when Shabbat begins, the Hanukkah lights are lit before sunset and must stay burning when Shabbat candles are lit.

Two blessings are said when lighting the Hanukkah lights. The first thanks God for commanding the lighting of the Hanukkah lights, and the second thanks God for the miracles of Hanukkah. After lighting, many families sing songs like "Ma'oz Tzur," which tells of God’s help throughout Jewish history.

Other customs

After lighting the menorah, many families sing Hanukkah songs and say special prayers. Some people give gifts or encourage children to give to charity instead of receiving presents.

Hanukkah includes special prayers added to daily services and meals. The Torah is read each day during Hanukkah, and the menorah is lit daily in synagogues.

Customs

Hanukkah has many special songs and traditions. Some popular songs include "Ma'oz Tzur", "Latke'le Latke'le", and "Ocho Kandelikas". In English-speaking countries, songs like "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel" and "Oh Chanukah" are well known.

During Hanukkah, people eat foods fried in oil to remember the miracle of oil lasting eight days. Popular foods include potato pancakes called latkes, doughnuts filled with jam called sufganiyot, and other fried treats. Different communities have their own special Hanukkah dishes.

Main article: Dreidel

After lighting the Hanukkah candles, many families play with a dreidel, a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side.

It is a tradition during Hanukkah to give children small amounts of money, called Hanukkah gelt, to add to the holiday's fun.

Main article: White House Hanukkah Party

Hanukkah has been celebrated at the White House for many years. Presidents have taken part in public candle-lighting ceremonies and have welcomed guests to celebrate this special holiday.

Dates

The dates of Hanukkah are set by the Hebrew calendar. It starts on the 25th day of Kislev and ends on the second or third day of Tevet. Because the Jewish day begins at sunset, Hanukkah runs from sunset one evening to nightfall on the last day.

For example, in recent years, Hanukkah was celebrated from sunset on December 7, 2023, to nightfall on December 15, 2023. In 2026, it will begin at sunset on December 4 and end at nightfall on December 12. Sometimes, Hanukkah can overlap with other holidays. This happened when it matched with Thanksgiving in 2013, an event called Thanksgivukkah. This will not happen again for a very long time.

Symbolic importance

Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday. People celebrate it in a big and public way. They place a Hanukkah menorah, a candle holder with nine branches, in a visible spot like a window or door. Each night, people say special prayers called Hallel to show how important this holiday is. This helps everyone learn about the wonderful story of Hanukkah.

Main article: Hebrew Bible

Modern history

Hanukkah has become more important over time. It helps Jewish people celebrate their history and stand up for their rights. In modern Israel, Hanukkah is a special holiday that shows the country's values.

In North America, Hanukkah is a big part of Jewish identity, like Passover. Many Jewish families celebrate it to feel connected to their heritage, especially during the Christmas season. They enjoy traditions that remind them of freedom and liberation. Over time, Hanukkah has added some traditions similar to Christmas, like giving gifts, while still keeping its own special meaning.