A boy plays with a four-sided top called a dreidel, a favorite Hanukkah pastime.
Credit: © Africa Studio, Shutterstock

Today marks the first day of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. The holiday is a celebration of God’s deliverance of the Jews in 165 B.C. That year, the Jews won their first struggle for religious freedom by defeating the Syrians, who wanted them to give up Judaism. Hanukkah lasts for 8 days. The dates of Hanukkah shift slightly from year to year, because the Hebrew calendar is based on cycles of the moon. This year, Hanukkah lasts from Thursday, December 10 through Friday, December 18.

The holiday commemorates and celebrates an event that took place in the winter of 165 B.C. A group of Jews led by Judah Maccabee captured the Temple in Jerusalem from forces loyal to Antiochus IV. Antiochus was a Syrian ruler who had tried to wipe out all distinctive Jewish beliefs and practices. Judah and his men immediately cleared pagan idols from the Temple, which they rededicated to the God of Israel.

Two ancient writings, called 1 and 2 Maccabees, tell the story of the Jewish struggle, in which many Jews died defending their traditions. These writings highlight warfare, directed by the Lord himself. Later Jewish accounts emphasize something not mentioned in earlier writings. They tell that when the Jews searched for pure oil to light the Temple’s menorah (multi-branched lamp), they found only one day’s supply. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days, by which time more oil had been located. This story is the source of Hanukkah’s most popular nickname, the Festival of Lights.

Among the oldest Hanukkah traditions is the lighting of hanukkiyahs, special menorahs with eight branches. Hanukkah foods include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts). These treats fried in oil recall the miracle of the oil in the Temple. Children play games with a four-sided top called a dreidel, decorated with writing that also recalls the Hanukkah miracle.

During the 1900’s, Hanukkah gained importance and popularity. Like the Christmas holiday, which falls around the same time of year, Hanukkah has become increasingly commercial. In Western countries, giving and receiving gifts has become a central part of both holidays, especially for many children.

Like so many holidays this year, Hanukkah might look different than in years past. In many places, efforts are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic (global outbreak of disease) of COVID-19. Such methods often include social distancing, meant to limit contact among people and thus the spread of germs. But limiting the spread of germs doesn’t mean you can’t have eight days of joy!

One socially distant way to enjoy the holiday is to have a virtual cooking class with friends and family. You can make such Hanukkah favorites as latkes or rugelach. Rugelach is pastry filled with such sweet treats as raisins, cinnamon, or marmalade. You can also make dreidels and send them to your friends. If you must visit friends or relatives, wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before and after greeting others. Wearing a protective face mask when not eating can help prevent the spread of disease. However you choose to celebrate, we hope you have a safe and fun Hanukkah!

December 23, 2016

Tomorrow, December 24, at sunset, Jewish people around the world will begin celebrating Hanukkah, the Feast of Lights or Feast of Dedication. The Hebrew word Hanukkah (also Hannuka or Chanukah) means dedication. The dates of Hanukkah change from year to year, because the Jewish calendar is based on the cycles of the moon. Hannukah begins on the eve of the 25^th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which may include parts of November and December. The festival lasts for eight days and commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem to God by the Jews in 165 B.C.

A family lights the candles of a menorah for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. Credit: © Shutterstock

Two Biblical books, 1 and 2 Maccabees, tell the story of Hanukkah. In the early 160’s B.C., the Jews in Jerusalem were subjects of the Seleucid Empire, one of the successor states formed out of Alexander the Great’s empire. The Bible tells how the Seleucid king, Antiochus IV, outlawed the practice of Jewish law and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem. Many Jews who defied Antiochus were killed. In 165 B.C., after a three-year revolt, Jews led by Judah Maccabee defeated Antiochus and rededicated the Temple to their God.

According to the Talmud, when the Jews cleaned the Temple, they found only one small bottle of oil with which to light their menorah (branched lamp). But the bottle miraculously provided enough oil for eight days. The Talmud is a collection of Jewish religious and civil laws and their interpretations. Today, lighting the menorah (also called a hanukkiyah) is a popular Hanukkah tradition. Modern menorahs generally have nine branches. On the first evening of Hanukkah, one candle is lighted. Beginning on the second night, one additional candle is lighted every night until the total reaches eight on the last night. The ninth branch of the menorah holds the shamash, or a “helper” candle used to light the other eight. Sometimes menorahs are displayed in windows as a way of publicizing the Hanukkah miracle. In some Jewish families, each person has a menorah. Some communities hold public menorah lighting ceremonies.

Another Hanukkah tradition is eating oily foods, in memory of the oil found in the Temple. Latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) are popular treats. Other customs include playing a low-stakes gambling game with a four-sided top called a dreidel and giving gelt (money or chocolate coins) to children. Four Hebrew letters on the sides of a dreidel stand for the saying “A great miracle happened there,” referring to the miracle of the oil and the menorah. In some families, giving gifts is customary during Hanukkah. This custom may have developed as a response to Christmas gift-giving in largely Christian areas.