Jessie Taylor
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed for eight nights and days, with the lighting of candles on a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. The miracle of the oil lasting eight days is celebrated through the lighting of the menorah and the consumption of traditional fried foods.
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What You'll Learn
- Fried foods are eaten to commemorate the miracle of oil lasting eight days
- Candles are lit to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple
- Hanukkah songs are sung to celebrate the glory of God
- Chocolate coins are given to children to commemorate a time when Jewish people were forced to study Torah underground
- The Hanukkiah is displayed in a window to serve as a reminder of Jewish identity
Fried foods are eaten to commemorate the miracle of oil lasting eight days
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed for eight days and nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar.
The miracle of the oil is central to the celebration of Hanukkah. After defeating the Seleucids, the Jews returned to their temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. They wanted to rededicate their temple to God by lighting the seven-candle menorah, but they found only one canister of ritually pure oil. Believing that the oil would last for one day, they lit the menorah anyway. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.
To commemorate this miracle, Jews eat fried foods during Hanukkah, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). These foods are fried in oil, preferably olive oil, to symbolize the miracle of the oil lasting eight days. The lighting of the menorah during Hanukkah also symbolizes this miracle, with each of the eight candles representing the extra days that the temple oil lasted.
In addition to fried foods, Jews also sing traditional songs, play games such as dreidel, and exchange gifts during Hanukkah. The festival has attained major cultural significance, especially among secular Jews, due to its occurrence around the same time as Christmas.
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Candles are lit to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple
The Jewish festival of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. After the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem, they wanted to rededicate the Temple through the resumption of the performance of Temple rituals. One of these rituals was the lighting of the seven-candle menorah, but they found only one canister of ritually pure oil that could last for one day. Nevertheless, they lit the menorah, and miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. Thus, Hanukkah celebrates two miracles: the victory of the poorly equipped fighters and the lasting of the oil for eight days.
During Hanukkah, Jews light candles for eight consecutive nights, reciting prayers and singing songs. The candles are lit every night, starting on the 25th day of Kislev, which may occur at any time between November 28 and December 27 in the Gregorian calendar. On the first night, one candle is lit, two on the second, and so on until the last night when all eight candles are ablaze. The ninth candle, called the shammash, is used to light the other eight candles. The shammash is usually positioned higher than the rest and is distinct from the other candles. The menorah is often placed in a window to publicize the miracle to passersby.
The lighting of the candles is a symbolic act that represents the miracle of the oil lasting for eight days. It also serves as a commemoration of the daily lighting of the Menorah in the Temple and the Temple in general. The candles are not to be used for anything work-related; instead, they are to be admired in silence or with songs and prayers. The traditional custom is to display the menorah proudly in a window, serving as a reminder of Jewish identity and heritage.
The celebration of Hanukkah also includes traditional foods, such as fried potato pancakes called latkes and sufganiyot, which are jelly-filled doughnuts. These fried foods are eaten to commemorate the miracle involving oil. The holiday is also a time for singing traditional songs, such as "Maoz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), and playing games like spinning the dreidel.
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Hanukkah songs are sung to celebrate the glory of God
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple at the beginning of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. It is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. One branch is placed above or below the others and its candle, called the shammash, is used to light the other eight candles.
Hanukkah songs are a joyous and integral part of the Festival of Lights celebration. These songs are sung around the glowing menorah and celebrate the glory of God and the ancient Temple of the Jews. One such song is "Ma'oz Tzur" ("Rock of Ages"), a Jewish liturgical poem or piyyut written in Hebrew in the 12th or 13th century. It is usually sung on Hanukkah after lighting the festival lights, and its six stanzas correspond to five events of Jewish history and a hope for the future. Another well-known Hebrew Hanukkah song is "Mi Y'malel" ("Who Can Retell"), which is a secular rewording of Psalms 106:2: "Who can retell the mighty feats of God."
Other popular Hanukkah songs include "Latke'le Latke'le" ("Little Latke, Little Latke"), "Hanukkiah Li Yesh" ("I Have a Hanukkah Menorah"), "Ocho Kandelikas" ("Eight Little Candles"), "Kad Katan" ("A Small Jug"), "S'vivon Sov Sov Sov" ("Dreidel, Spin and Spin"), "Haneirot Halolu" ("These Candles Which We Light"), "Ner Li, Ner Li" ("I Have a Candle"), "Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel", and "Oh Chanukah". These songs celebrate the miracle of the oil, the victory of the Maccabees, and the joy of the holiday season.
In addition to songs, Hanukkah is also celebrated with traditional fried foods, spinning the dreidel, and exchanging gifts. The festival holds significant cultural importance, especially among secular Jews, as it often occurs simultaneously with Christmas.
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Chocolate coins are given to children to commemorate a time when Jewish people were forced to study Torah underground
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, is a joyous time when families gather for eight nights to sing traditional songs, spin the dreidel, and share a feast of traditional foods. The lighting of candles during Hanukkah commemorates a miracle involving oil. According to the Hanukkah story, after defeating the Seleucids, the Jews returned to their temple in Jerusalem and wanted to rededicate it to God by lighting the seven-candle menorah. They found only one canister of ritually pure oil, which they believed would last for one day, but it miraculously lasted for eight days.
Chocolate coins, known as gelt, are often given to children during Hanukkah. The tradition of giving gelt is rooted in the custom of giving money to religious teachers and those who performed special services during the holiday. In the days of the Chasidic leader, the Ba'al Shem Tov (1698-1760), rabbis travelled to distant villages to teach impoverished and illiterate Jews, and during Hanukkah, they accepted tokens of gratitude in the form of coins and food. This tradition signified appreciative compensation for dedicated Jewish educators.
The gelt of Hanukkah also recalls the booty, including coins, that the Maccabees distributed to Jewish widows, soldiers, and orphans. Additionally, in ancient Israel, minting and distributing coins expressed Hanukkah's message of political autonomy. The practice of giving gelt during Hanukkah began to shift in the 19th century when families moved from community-centred settings to towns and cities. The custom transformed from giving tips to service providers to giving gifts to children.
In the 20th century, candy manufacturers started selling Hanukkah-themed chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, either as a substitute for or a supplement to real money gifts. These chocolate coins have become beloved treats for children during Hanukkah, and their exchange is now a well-established tradition within the celebration of the festival.
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The Hanukkiah is displayed in a window to serve as a reminder of Jewish identity
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, commonly called a menorah or hanukkiah. The hanukkiah is placed in a window to publicize the miracle of Hanukkah to passersby and serves as a reminder of Jewish identity.
The story of Hanukkah is one of persecution and redemption. The Maccabees, a group of Jewish rebels, defeated the much stronger Greek-Syrian army, also known as the Seleucids, who were trying to force the Jews to disavow their religion. After their victory, the Jews returned to their temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated. They wanted to rededicate the temple by lighting the seven-branch menorah, but they only had enough ritually pure oil to last for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days.
To remember this miracle, Jews light candles or lamps during Hanukkah, adding one additional candle each night until all eight are ablaze. The ninth candle, called the shammash, is used to light the other eight. The hanukkiah is traditionally placed in the most prominent place possible, such as a window sill or even outdoors, so that it can shine its light into the darkness and remind people of the miracle-working power of God.
In recent years, the display of the hanukkiah has also taken on a new significance as a symbol of Jewish identity and a stand against antisemitism. While there have been times when Jews were advised to hide their Jewish identity or avoid "openly displaying" it due to the danger of persecution, many have refused to follow this advice and are standing up for their Jewish and Israeli identities more than ever. Displaying the hanukkiah in a window has become a way to proudly assert one's Jewish identity and show solidarity with the Jewish community.
In conclusion, the hanukkiah displayed in a window during Hanukkah serves as a reminder of Jewish identity, both to Jews themselves and to non-Jews. It is a symbol of the strength and resilience of the Jewish people, their triumph over oppression, and their willingness to stand up for their heritage and traditions in the face of adversity.
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Frequently asked questions
Fried foods are eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the miracle of a small flask of oil keeping the Second Temple's light alive for eight days.
Traditional fried foods eaten during Hanukkah include latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and brisket.
During Hanukkah, people light candles, sing songs, play dreidel, and exchange gifts.
