Hanukkah is one of the most well-known Jewish holidays, but very few people, outside of those of the Jewish faith, know or understand what it specifically means. Today’s blog post is dedicated to exploring an important holiday that begins today (this year): Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukkah). Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated on 25th day of Kislev on the Jewish calendar, which often corresponds with the month of December in the Roman calendar that is used popularly in the Western world. Hanukkah is known as the festival of lights due to the means of which it is celebrated, which will be discussed further in this post, as well as the origins of the holiday.
 |
| Figure 1: Menorah |
Hanukkah is meant to celebrate the victory of the Jews over Antiochus IV, who banned the practice of Judaism in Israel in 165 B.C.E. Antiochus IV hated religion and believed that the Jewish faith could be exterminated by altering key elements of the religion, such as the worship of one god, the abstention from certain foods, and the reading of the Torah. He also resorted to massacring Jews who did not easily follow his rules, as well as desecrated the sacred temple as punishment. Jews eventually retaliated and despite having fewer soldiers were triumphant in casting out Antiochus IV’s forces. The Jews sought to rededicate the temple by lighting the menorah, a candelabra, which was to be lit each night as part of the ritual, but they did not have enough oil to complete the ritual prior to getting more. Miraculously the little oil they did have lasted for eight days, which corresponded with the amount of time it took to acquire more oil. The Jews declared this a miracle and observed it annually.
Hanukkah is observed by Jews worldwide. It is marked by the lighting of one menorah candle each night of the eight day holiday. The menorah (Figure 1) holds nine candles as one is meant to light the remaining eight to commemorate Hanukkah. The lighting of each Hanukkah candle is coupled with prayers, and it is displayed in either a doorway or window so all can see it. In addition to lighting the menorah there are specific foods associated with the holiday. Foods fried in oil are considered traditional, specifically latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Children are known to play the dreidel (Figure 2), a game that was played during Antiochus IV’s reign as a means of hiding the fact that Jews were actually practicing their faith in groups. Traditionally, children are gifted with a gelt, a monetary gift that children are expected to donate to a charity of their choice, but this tradition was replaced in the 1920s with the dispersal of gifts.
 |
| Figure 2: Dreidel |
Hanukkah is celebrated not for the gelt or gifts, but to honor the memory and sacrifice of Jews over the centuries and even into today. Hanukkah embodies several principles, including standing up for what is right, persevering with one’s religion, always doing better, and being proud of one’s faith. To all those celebrating Hanukkah this year I wish you a happy and fulfilling one.
References
Mindel, Nissan. 1998. The Complete Story of Chanukah (The Festival Series). Kehot Publishing.
No Author. No
Date. Hanukkah. Reform Judaism. http://www.reformjudaism.org/jewish-holidays/hanukkah
No Author. No Date.
Hanukkah. Big Tent Judaism. http://bigtentjudaism.org/celebrate-jewish-life/jewish-holiday/hanukkah/?doing_wp_cron=1481641372.9655249118804931640625
