Pictures of Hanukiahs, the menorah used during Chanukah
Chanukah, an eight-day holiday which begins on the 25th
day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (November-December), is
observed in order to commemorate the re-dedication of the Temple
in 165 BCE. In terms of religious significance, the importance of
Chanukah pales in comparison to that of the High Holidays. At the
same time, Chanukah, particularly among children, is arguably the
most popular holiday in the Jewish calendar year.
The historical events surrounding Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights,
are well documented in the Bible (Book of Maccabees 1 and 2) and other
contemporary sources. In the second century BCE, the Greek-Syrian king Antiochus
ordered that all people living in his empire must worship Hellenistic gods.
Since Judah fell within the Syrian empire,
this meant that Jews were not able to practice their religion freely.
In an attempt to ensure that the Jews obeyed this law, Antiochus
ordered the removal of both the seven-branched candelabrum (an important
symbol of Judaism since the time of Moses) and all consecrated oil from
the Temple. Pagan statues were subsequently placed in the Temple.
In response to this sacrilege, it is said that Judas Maccabees, a
member of the Hasmonean family which ruled Judah at the time,
organized a successful rebellion against the Syrians in 165 BCE.
After regaining control of Jerusalem, Judas set out to purify or
"re-dedicate" the Temple on the 25th of Kislev.
In doing so, he and the Judeans removed the statues and built a
new candelabrum. On the 25th of Kislev, a minute amount of
consecrated oil was discovered in the Temple. The 'Chanukah
miracle' is so called because this small amount of oil lasted
for eight days, at which point newly consecrated oil arrived.
The Festival of Lights is commemorated by the lighting of the
Chanukah lamp (Hanukiah), a type of menorah
which contains eight candleholders plus a shamash (master light).
The holiday begins by the lighting of one candle on the first night
of Chanukah. On each subsequent night, an additional candle is lit.
Consequently, by the eighth night of the holiday, the Chanukah lamp
is filled with eight candles. The halakhah (Jewish law) also states that the
Chanukah lamp cannot serve any kind of practical purpose. This
naturally created a problem for Jews who lived prior to
advent of electricity. Consequently, it became customary to light
a special candle, known as the shamash or 'caretaker', which could
be used for performing household chores. In memory of this tradition,
Jews continue to light an extra candle on each day of Chanukah.
On each day of the holiday, the kindling of the Chanukah lamp is
followed by a short prayer. The Chanukah story is then recounted
in both the Amidah prayer and the Grace After Meals.
Over time, certain traditions emerged surrounding
this holiday. Among Ashkenazi Jews (Jews of Northern and Eastern
European descent) for example, it has become customary to eat
latkes or potato pancakes. While disapproved by the halakhah,
gambling and card-playing is also common during Chanukah.
The popularity of Chanukah results primarily from the attention which it pays to children. During this holiday, children typically play with a dreidel, a spinning top which contains four Hebrew letters. These letters are the initials of the Hebrew sentence Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, which translates as 'A great miracle happened there.' Among Sephardic (Jews of Spanish or Portuguese descent) families, feasts and competitive games are typically organized for the enjoyment of the children. Traditionally, on Chanukah children are also given gifts of money (gelt). Chanukah, for many Jews, has become an occasion where gifts are exchanged between all members of the family.
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