What is Hanukkah?

Why is Hanukkah celebrated?

The holiday commemorates a pivotal moment in Jewish history during the second century BCE, when the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes attempted to suppress Jewish religious practices. He desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem by installing an altar to Zeus and forbidding traditional rituals. A small group of Jewish fighters known as the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee, successfully revolted against the vastly larger Syrian-Greek army to reclaim their holy site.

Upon entering the Temple, the Maccabees sought to relight the menorah, the seven-branched candelabrum, but found only enough consecrated oil to burn for one day. According to the Talmud, a miracle occurred when the oil lasted for eight days, which was the exact time needed to prepare a fresh supply of pure oil. Today, the festival serves as a commemoration of religious freedom and the endurance of the Jewish people against cultural assimilation and oppression.

How do you light the menorah?

The central observance of Hanukkah is the lighting of the hanukkiah, a nine-branched candelabrum. One candle is lit on the first night, and an additional candle is added each evening until all eight are burning on the final night. The ninth candle, called the shamash or "helper," is used to light the others and is typically positioned higher or lower than the rest.

To perform the ritual correctly, follow these steps:

1. Place the hanukkiah in a window or doorway to publicize the miracle.
2. Light the shamash candle first, using it to kindle the other candles from left to right.
3. Recite the traditional blessings in Hebrew before lighting the candles.
4. Add a new candle to the left of the previous night’s candles each evening.
5. Allow the candles to burn down naturally, though they should ideally remain lit for at least 30 minutes after dark.

What are the traditional Hanukkah foods?

Culinary traditions during Hanukkah emphasize the use of oil to symbolize the miracle of the Temple lamp. The most iconic foods are fried in oil, reflecting the historical narrative of the festival. These dishes vary by cultural background, but they remain a staple of the holiday experience for families worldwide.

• Latkes: Crispy, fried potato pancakes often served with applesauce or sour cream.
• Sufganiyot: Round, jelly-filled doughnuts deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar.
• Gelt: Chocolate coins wrapped in gold or silver foil, often used in games.
• Brisket: A traditional slow-cooked beef dish frequently served at festive family dinners.

Families often gather to prepare these meals together, turning the kitchen into a central space for celebration. While the specific recipes may differ between Ashkenazi and Sephardic traditions, the focus on oil-based preparation remains a universal thread connecting the global Jewish community during the eight days of the holiday.

How to play the dreidel game?

The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top used in a popular children's game during Hanukkah. Each side of the top features a Hebrew letter: Nun, Gimel, Hey, and Shin. These letters stand for the phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which translates to "A great miracle happened there." In Israel, the last letter is replaced with a Peh, changing the meaning to "A great miracle happened here."

To play the game, players start with an equal number of tokens, such as chocolate gelt, nuts, or coins. Each player puts one token into the center pot, then spins the dreidel in turn:

1. Nun: The player does nothing and the turn passes to the next person.
2. Gimel: The player takes the entire pot.
3. Hey: The player takes half of the pot.
4. Shin: The player must add one token to the pot.

The game continues until one player has won all the tokens, providing a lighthearted way to engage with the holiday's history.

Common mistakes when celebrating Hanukkah

A frequent error is assuming that Hanukkah is the Jewish equivalent of Christmas, leading to a focus on gift-giving over the holiday's spiritual significance. While exchanging gifts has become a modern custom, the core of the festival remains the public display of the light and the retelling of the Maccabean victory. Another mistake is failing to light the hanukkiah in a visible location. The purpose of the ritual is to share the light with the outside world, so placing it on a windowsill or near an entryway is essential to the tradition.

Additionally, beginners often struggle with the order of lighting. Always remember to light the shamash first and use it to kindle the others. Ensure that the candles are placed in the holder from right to left, matching the direction of Hebrew reading, but lit from left to right to honor the newest light first. By avoiding these common pitfalls, participants ensure that their observance remains authentic, meaningful, and respectful of the historical narrative that defines this eight-day celebration of resilience and faith.