Introduction to Hanukkah
Hanukkah is sometimes referred to as Jewish Christmas, but the holiday has nothing to do with the birth of Jesus. Instead, it commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem around 200 BC, where legend says that the Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabee Revolt. In fact, the word Hanukkah means “rededication.”
History of Hanukkah
Under Greek rule, Jews were not allowed to practice their religion for two centuries, until 164 BC, when they recaptured Jerusalem. After cleansing the Second Temple and rebuilding its altar, they found a vessel containing oil that was only enough to keep the candles of a menorah (an eight-branched candlestick) burning for one day. However, they burned for eight days.
Celebrating Hanukkah
For this reason, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, with one candle lit every day after dark. Although the term “menorah” is often used in popular speech, the Hanukkah, a nine-branched candlestick, is lit during Hanukkah. The ninth holder is intended for the “helper” (called shamash in Hebrew), the candle with which the other eight candles are lit after the blessing (brachot).
Date and Traditions
The phase of the moon determines the date of the Jewish Festival of Lights. It always begins on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the ninth month in the Jewish calendar, which is why the date changes in the Gregorian calendar. In 2025, Hanukkah begins on December 14th. Gifts were not originally part of the celebrations. However, Hanukkah has become increasingly commercial over the years, so it is common to give gifts, especially to children.
Traditional Foods
People enjoy eating dishes fried in oil, including round jelly donuts (sufganiyot) and potato pancakes (latkes). These traditional foods are a big part of the Hanukkah celebrations, and are often served throughout the eight-day festival. The tradition of eating fried foods is a reminder of the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days in the rededicated Temple.
