Hanukkah is an eight‑day Jewish festival often called the Festival of Lights. It celebrates both a historical military victory and a religious miracle.
Basic meaning
Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew and marks the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after it was defiled by the Seleucid (Syrian Greek) rulers in the 2nd century BCE. It is celebrated for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls in late November or December.
Main story and miracle
The festival recalls the victory of a small group of Jewish fighters, the Maccabees, over a more powerful Greek-Syrian army that had tried to suppress Jewish religious practice. A central part of the story is the tradition that only one day’s worth of ritually pure oil was found for the Temple menorah, yet it burned for eight days, which is seen as a miracle.
How it is celebrated
Hanukkah is best known for lighting a special nine‑branched candelabrum, often called a menorah or hanukkiah, adding one more light each night for eight nights. Families typically say blessings, sing songs, and place the lights where they can be seen publicly to “publicize” the miracle.
Customs and foods
Common customs include playing dreidel (a spinning‑top game) and giving or receiving small gifts or “Hanukkah gelt” (money or chocolate coins). People also traditionally eat foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), to remember the oil miracle.
Place in Jewish life
Historically Hanukkah was a relatively minor religious holiday, but it has become one of the most widely observed Jewish festivals, especially in North America and other Western countries. It emphasizes themes of religious freedom, identity, light in times of darkness, and gratitude for perceived divine help.