
The Hebrew word Chanukah means "dedication." In the 2nd century BCE, the Syrian-Greek regime of Antiochus sought to pull Jews away from Judaism, with the hopes of assimilating them into Hellenism – Greek culture. Antiochus outlawed aspects of Jewish observance – including the study of Torah – which began to decay the foundation of Jewish life and practice. During this period, many of the Jews began to assimilate into Greek culture, taking on Greek names and marrying non-Jews.
In response, a band of courageous Jews took to the hills of Judea in open revolt against this threat to Jewish life. Led by Matitiyahu, and later his son Judah the Maccabee ("The Hammer"), this small band of pious Jews led guerrilla warfare against the Syrian army.
Antiochus sent thousands of well-armed troops to crush the rebellion – but the Maccabees succeeded in driving the foreigners from their land.
Jewish fighters entered Jerusalem in December, 164 BCE. The Holy Temple was in shambles, defiled and desecrated by foreign soldiers. They cleansed the Temple and re-dedicated it on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. When it came time to re-light the Menorah, they searched the entire Temple, but only one small jar of oil bearing the pure seal of the High Priest could be found. Miraculously, the small jar of oil burned for eight days, until a new supply of oil could be brought.
From then on, Jews have observed a holiday for eight days in honor of this historic victory and the miracle of the oil.
Today, the observance of Chanukah features the lighting of a special Chanukah menorah with eight branches (plus a helper candle), adding one new candle each night. Other customs include spinning the dreidel (a top with Hebrew letters on the sides), eating "oily" foods like potato latkes (pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and giving Chanukah gelt (coins) to children.
text by Rabbi Shraga Simmons
(18) Julie, December 23, 2008 7:39 AM
Thank you for this. One of my friends is Jewish and I was embarrassed to realise I had no idea what Chanukah is (and I didn't want to ask her)... in fact I found this by typing "what is chanukah?" into google. :) Very informative.
(17) Shmall, December 4, 2006 5:29 AM
HAPPY Chanukah to you all!!!!
(16) Luis Canon, December 28, 2005 12:00 AM
Nice one - and succinct too
A good apt timely theme and story re Hannukah.
(15) Andrea Gottlieb, December 8, 2004 12:00 AM
Chanukah Film
What an inspiration! We loved learning with Ken at the partners conference and within the first 30 seconds of the video we realized this perfect package of history has to be done by him. I'm thrilled to be able to send this to all our friends.
Happy Chanukah Ken.
See you in Philly
Andrea and Rich
(14) Lawrence S. Cohen, December 6, 2004 12:00 AM
Please do this kind of exploration for every Jewish Holiday
I am eight times more impressed than normal with this month's educational exploration.(One for each night) Your treatment of Chanukah is superb. Thank you for the transliterations. This is just one example of the many reasons (more than eight)of why I joined. Would you please do this kind of exploration for every Jewish Holiday?
(13) Chandler Sullivan, December 6, 2004 12:00 AM
My thanks for this outstanding info
I am 7yrs, my December class project, is on holidays celebrated aroung the world, and I chose Chanukah...(because my best friend is jewish, we live accross the street from eachother, so to honour her and her family, I chose to do my project on Chanukah)
This site has been very helpful and easy for a 7 yrs old to read and understand, with the help of my Mom & Dad. keep up the good work.
Peace
(12) Leslie, November 15, 2004 12:00 AM
thanks for the help
I am a reporter for my school newspaper and I am writing an article about december holidays around the world. Thanks to this site, i have a better understanding of Hanukkah. Thanks for the help
(11) miriam rubinstein, October 16, 2004 12:00 AM
Your material is enlightening.
Thanks for keeping the Jewish community well informed about Jewish themes, customs, halachah, and practice. It is very useful to me.
(10) Margaret D.O., February 1, 2004 12:00 AM
Very helpful
I used this article to inform my students abour Hanukkah.
Thanks
(9) carola s., December 22, 2003 12:00 AM
excellent, great!
This really helpful in explaining Chanukah to non-jewish coworkers.
(8) Chanah, December 16, 2003 12:00 AM
Very Good!!
It helps to explain Chanukah to non-Jewish friends in a easy manner that all can understand.
(7) Greg, December 15, 2003 12:00 AM
it was very good
it was very helpfull for my class project!!!!!!!!
(6) jamie skarupa, December 5, 2003 12:00 AM
great!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had to talk about chanukah to a 2nd grade class. This realy helped.
(5) Valerie Vivar, November 29, 2003 12:00 AM
I learned a lot from this page and my son can not stop listening to the music.
My son LOVED the music!!! Especially Chanuka and the FIRE one.
(4) lance, November 13, 2003 12:00 AM
Good job.
great article, i really loved it.
(3) morinda bloue, December 9, 2002 12:00 AM
This is really AWESOME!!!
I just adored this article on Chanuka! It describes it so well. I myself celebrate this tradition every year and it is just the best description of what Chanukuh really is. I looove this website, it is a great Jewish site!
(2) Erik, December 6, 2002 12:00 AM
Hanukkah
This was pretty informative. Nice job.
(1) Luis Molina, November 20, 2002 12:00 AM
Hannuka
this is an amazing page