The Jewish celebration of Hanukkah begins at sunset on December 24th and lasts until nightfall of the first day of the new year. But do you know about the history or traditions associated with it? Here are five facts you might not know about the Feast of the Maccabees.
1. Hanukkah commemorates a historical event
Hanukkah celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 2 BC, which occurred after the Maccabees overthrew their oppressors who had defiled it. Part of this rededication was the lighting of a menorah that would burn at all times. While the oil was only supposed to last for one day, it lasted for eight, revered as a miracle in the Jewish faith. This is why 8 candles are lit.
2. Hanukkah is not the Jewish version of Christmas
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, while Hanukkah celebrates the Maccabees and the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem, as explained above. However, both Christian people and Jewish people often receive gifts.
3. Oil isn’t just for the Menorah
Many traditional Hanukkah foods like the famous latkes (potato pancakes) are also fried in oil as yet another way to honor the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil.
4. You can spell Hanukkah different ways
No one way is correct. The variations came about when Hebrew, a character-based language, was translated into English, an alphabet-based language. Some of the variations we see today are Hanukkah, Chanuka, Hanukah, Hannukah and Chanukkah.
5. The meaning of Hanukkah
It’s the Hebrew word for “dedication.”
Sources: history.com, CNN
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