The spelling of the word "Channukkah" is often a point of confusion among English speakers. The correct spelling, according to the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), is [ˈxanuka]. The first and last sounds are a voiceless velar fricative (similar to a "h" sound), while the middle two sounds are both short "u" vowels. The double letter "n" after the "h" represents a gemination, meaning that the "n" sound is held for slightly longer than usual. This holiday is also commonly spelled as "Hanukkah" or "Chanukah".
Channukkah, also known as Hanukkah, is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days in commemoration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. The word Channukkah itself is derived from the Hebrew word "חֲנֻכָּה" (khanuká), meaning "dedication."
Channukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev and usually falls in late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar. The holiday is marked by the lighting of a special nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah. Each evening, one additional candle or oil lamp is kindled, until all eight branches and the central "shamash" candle are lit on the final night. This ritual symbolizes the miracle that occurred during the rededication of the Temple when a small supply of oil miraculously burned for eight days, even though it was only enough to last for one day.
Channukkah is also known for its customary games involving a spinning top called a dreidel and the delicious traditional food, such as potato pancakes called latkes and jelly-filled doughnuts known as sufganiyot, which are enjoyed during the holiday. Families often exchange gifts and gather to celebrate and share in festivities that focus on the themes of miracles, gratitude, and religious freedom.
Overall, Channukkah is a significant Jewish holiday that serves as a reminder of the miracle of oil and the victory of the Maccabees, while also fostering a sense of togetherness, gratitude, and joy for the Jewish community.
The word "Hanukkah" (also spelled "Chanukkah") is derived from the Hebrew word חֲנֻכָּה, which means "dedication" or "inauguration". The origins of the word can be traced back to the historical events surrounding the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire in the 2nd century BCE. The holiday lasts for eight days and nights, as it is believed that a single cruse of oil miraculously burned for eight days in the temple's menorah (a seven-branched candelabrum).