Hanukkah | Definition, History, Customs, Story, Food, & Facts (2024)

FAQs

Hanukkah | Definition, History, Customs, Story, Food, & Facts? ›

The eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah or Chanukah commemorates the rededication during the second century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, where according to legend Jews had risen up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

Origin and history

Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean (Hasmonean) victories over the forces of the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes (reigned 175–164 bce) and the rededication of the Temple on Kislev 25, 164 bce. Led by Mattathias and his son Judas Maccabeus (died c.

To celebrate the ancient miracle of the oil burning a candle for eight nights, Jews celebrating Hanukkah light a candleholder called a menorah for eight nights. The menorah holds nine candles—one for each night plus a candle called the shamash used to light the other candles.

Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew word ḥănukkāh, which literally means “a dedicating.” The name comes from the holiday's origin story: Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE.

The most important of all Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of the menorah each evening.

Hanukkah (/ˈhɑːnəkə/; חֲנֻכָּה‎ Ḥănukkā) is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and subsequent rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The Maccabees successfully revolted against Antiochus IV Epiphanes.

1. Hanukkiah. The most famous symbol of Hanukkah is the hanukkiah, the nine-branched candelabra which is lit each night, and can often be seen in house windows. Hanukkah celebrations are centred around lighting the hanukkiah, and families will gather to light the candles together.

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and this holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

There is no pork or shellfish allowed, and Jews will not mix meat and dairy in the same meal, so if a chicken is on the table, you won't find butter or cheese.

Jews lit the menorah with only one day's worth of oil, which miraculously lasted eight days, hence the Festival of Lights.

Did Jesus celebrate Hanukkah? ›

Hanukkah is an ancient Jewish festival of dedication and miracles. Jesus himself celebrated this sacred occasion during his time on earth. Today, some Christians honor the miraculous rededication of the temple by observing Hanukkah. Christians who appreciate the Hebraic roots of the Christian faith celebrate Hanukkah.

"Among other rules, eating certain animals, primarily pigs and shellfish, is forbidden; meat must be ritually and humanely slaughtered; and dairy and meat aren't to be eaten at the same meal." Fish and plant foods are "neutral" (parve) and can be eaten with either meat or dairy.

In Hebrew, Hanukkah means "dedication," and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces.

Although the Jewish people only had enough oil to keep the flame burning for a single day, miraculously, the flames lasted for eight nights. During this time, they were able to find other oil supplies, and were inspired to dedicate an eight-day festival in celebration of this holy miracle.

Because the Maccabean Revolt occurred after the writing of Malachi, during the Intertestamental Period, Hanukkah does not appear anywhere in the Old Testament. It was still celebrated at the time of Christ in Israel, however, while under Roman occupation.

According to tradition, during the rededication of the Holy Temple (the Second Temple) in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean revolt, a small quantity of oil used to light the Temple's menorah somehow miraculously burned for eight days. Hanukkah commemorates this event.