Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday that celebrates a brave story from long ago. It remembers the time when a group called the Maccabees fought for their freedom against a big empire. After they won, they went back to their holy place in Jerusalem and found a small amount of oil that was supposed to last only one day, but it miraculously burned for eight days! That’s why Hanukkah lasts for eight nights and days.

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

Even though it’s not one of the most important Jewish holidays in religious terms, Hanukkah has become very popular, especially in places like the Western world. Many people love how it happens close to Christmas, making it a time of joy and celebration for many families.

Etymology

The name "Hanukkah" comes from the Hebrew word meaning "to dedicate." This is because, during Hanukkah, the Maccabees reclaimed Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple. There are several explanations for the name:

• It can mean "they rested on the twenty-fifth," referring to the day the holiday starts.
• It relates to Jewish education, highlighting learning and moral guidance.
• It is also an acronym for "Eight candles, and the Jewish law follows the teachings of Hillel," referencing a debate about how to light the Hanukkah candles.

Alternative spellings

Hanukkah is most commonly written as Hanukkah or Chanukah in English. The spelling Hanukkah is preferred by major dictionaries and style guides.

Festival of Lights

In modern Hebrew, Hanukkah is also called the Festival of Lights, based on an ancient comment that refers to the holiday as a celebration of light. This name is also used in English.

Historical sources

The story of Hanukkah is told in the books of the First and Second Maccabees, which describe the re-dedication 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, noting it as a time of celebration when fasting was forbidden. The Mishna, an important Jewish text from the late 2nd century, refers to Hanukkah but does not give many details. Later writings, such as the Talmud, tell the story of how the Maccabees found only enough oil to burn for one day, but it lasted for eight days. This miracle is a key part of why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights today.

The Jewish historian Titus Flavius Josephus wrote about how Judas Maccabeus celebrated the rededication 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, referring to Hanukkah.

History

Background

Further information: Coele-Syria

After the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, Judea became part of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt until 200 BCE, when King Antiochus III the Great of Syria defeated King Ptolemy V Epiphanes of Egypt at the Battle of Panium. Judea then became part of the Seleucid Empire of Syria. King Antiochus III the Great guaranteed the Jewish people's right to follow their customs and religion. However, his son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, changed this policy and invaded Judea, taking control of Jerusalem and stopping Jewish religious practices.

Traditional view

Main article: Miracle of the cruse of oil

Antiochus IV's actions led to a rebellion led by Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons. They fought against Antiochus and his forces. After Mattathias died, his son Judah took over and became known as Judah the Hammer. By 164 BCE, the Jewish forces recaptured Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple. The holiday of Hanukkah was created to celebrate this victory. According to tradition, when the Temple was rededicated, there was only enough holy oil for one day, but it lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight nights.

Academic sources

Some historians believe that the conflict began as a fight between two groups of Jews over who should be the High Priest. The Seleucid king, Antiochus IV, got involved on the side of one group, which led to the ban on Jewish practices. The story of the miracle of the oil first appeared in Jewish writings many years later and is seen by many as a legend.

Timeline

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

• 198 BCE: Antiochus III drives out the Ptolemies from Judea and Samaria.
• 175 BCE: Antiochus IV becomes king of the Seleucids.
• 168 BCE: Antiochus IV loots the Second Temple and stops Jewish practices.
• 167 BCE: Mattathias and his sons start a revolt. Judah becomes known as Judah Maccabee.
• 166–164 BCE: Judah leads battles against Seleucid forces.
• 164 BCE: The Maccabees recapture Jerusalem and rededicate the Temple, starting Hanukkah.
• 160–143 BCE: Jonathan leads the Jewish people after Judah's death.
• 142 BCE: Judea becomes effectively independent under Simon Thassi.
• 139 BCE: The Roman Senate recognizes Jewish autonomy.
• 134 BCE: Antiochus VII besieges Jerusalem but allows Jewish autonomy.
• 129 BCE: Antiochus VII dies, and Judea expands under John Hyrcanus.
• 96 BCE: A civil war begins between Alexander Jannaeus and Pharisaic opponents.
• 85–82 BCE: The Hasmonean kingdom grows east of the Jordan River.
• 76–67 BCE: Salome Alexandra rules with Pharisaic support.
• 63 BCE: The Roman Republic intervenes, ending the Hasmonean Kingdom.

Battles of the Maccabean Revolt

Main article: Maccabean Revolt

Key battles include:

• Battle with Apollonius and Battle with Seron: Judas Maccabeus defeats small Seleucid forces.
• Battle of Emmaus: Judas makes a surprise night attack.
• Battle of Beth Zur: Judas captures Jerusalem after defeating Lysias.
• Battle of Beth Zechariah: The Seleucids win, and Eleazar Avaran is killed.
• Battle of Adasa: Judas defeats and kills Nicanor.
• Battle of Elasa: Judas is killed, and Jonathan takes 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
• Hannah and her seven sons

Rituals

Hanukkah is celebrated with special daily rituals over its 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 Hanukkah 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 enjoy eating 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, such as fried chicken in Italy and cheese pancakes in Hungary.

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. These letters remind us of the miracle of the oil.

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 spans from sunset one evening to nightfall on the final day.

For example, in recent years, Hanukkah has been observed 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, like when it coincided with Thanksgiving in 2013. This rare event, called Thanksgivukkah, won't happen again for a very long time.

Symbolic importance

Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday that is celebrated in a big and public way, even though it is not one of the main biblical holidays. People often place their Hanukkah menorah, a special candle holder with nine branches, in a visible spot like a window or door to show their celebration. Each night of Hanukkah, people also say special prayers called Hallel to show how important this holiday is in Jewish tradition. This helps everyone know about the wonderful story Hanukkah tells.

Main article: Hebrew Bible

Modern history

Hanukkah has grown in importance over time, especially with the rise of Jewish nationalism and the Zionist movement. It became a way for Jewish people to celebrate their history and resistance against foreign oppression. In modern Israel, Hanukkah is seen as a national and even military holiday, reflecting the country's values.

In North America, Hanukkah has become a major symbol of Jewish identity, similar to Passover. Many Jewish families celebrate it as a way to feel connected to their heritage, especially during the Christmas season. They often focus on themes of freedom and liberation. Over time, Hanukkah has adopted some traditions similar to Christmas, like giving gifts, to fit better into American culture while still keeping its unique meaning.