Hanukkah, one of the most widely observed Jewish holidays, is a joyous eight-day winter festival. It begins on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. This usually falls between late November and late December. In 2024, Hanukkah celebrations will start at sundown on December 25, coinciding with Christmas Day, and conclude on January 2, 2025. This overlap of the two holidays last occurred in 2005 and will not happen again until 2035.
The origins of Hanukkah date back over 2,000 years to 168 BCE, when Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a Greek king, ruled the Land of Israel. Antiochus IV outlawed the practice of Judaism, forcing the Jewish people to worship Greek gods instead. He also installed an altar dedicated to Zeus inside Jerusalem's Holy Temple.
The Jewish people successfully reclaimed the temple in 165 BCE. Upon entering, they found a small amount of kosher olive oil, enough to light the menorah for just one day. To their surprise, the flame burned for eight days, providing enough time to produce a new batch of pure oil. Hanukkah, meaning "dedication" in Hebrew, was established soon after to commemorate this miracle of the oil.
The celebration has since evolved to include various fun traditions. But a menorah that can hold nine candles remains the centerpiece of the festivities. Eight candles are lit one at a time to mark each day of Hanukkah. In the center of the menorah is a ninth candle, known as the Shamash (helper). This is used to illuminate the other eight.
After the menorah lighting and prayers, families enjoy a delicious feast. Many traditional Hanukkah foods are deep-fried to honor the miracle oil that inspired the festival. Favorites include crispy fried potato pancakes, known as latkes, and sweet jelly-filled donuts called Sufganiyot. Other popular dishes include beef brisket, matzo ball soup, and challah, a braided egg bread.
The most popular game is dreidel, a spinning top with Hebrew letters on each of its four sides. These letters form the acronym "Nes Gadol Haya Sham," meaning "a great miracle happened there."
Players start with an equal number of game pieces, such as candy, nuts, or coins. Each player contributes one piece to a communal pot. They then take turns spinning the dreidel. The side it lands on determines whether they lose a piece to the pot or win the entire pot. When someone wins, all players donate another piece, and the fun continues.
The origin of this lively game is unclear. Some believe it emerged during the reign of Antiochus IV, when Jewish people were not allowed to practice their faith openly. According to legend, Jews would secretly study the Torah. When Greek troops approached, they would hide the sacred texts and pretend to play with the dreidel. Others think the game originated in Europe.
Due to Hanukkah's proximity to Christmas, exchanging gifts has become a big part of the celebration. Traditionally, children received gelt, which consists of small amounts of money or chocolate coins. While some families still adhere to this custom, many have adopted the practice of giving more substantial gifts. Unlike Christmas, where presents are exchanged in a single day, Hanukkah gifting lasts for eight days. It is no wonder the holiday is so popular with kids.
Happy Hanukkah!
Resources: Wikipedia.org, History.com, theconversation.com
