Chanukah, also spelled as Hanukkah, is a Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE. The word "Chanukah" is derived from the Hebrew word "חֲנֻכָּה" which means "dedication" or "inauguration."
Chanukah lasts for eight days and nights and begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. The celebration is a joyous occasion for Jewish families around the world. It serves as a reminder of the triumph of light over darkness and freedom over oppression.
The historical significance of Chanukah dates back to the period of Jewish history known as the Maccabean Revolt. It was during this time that a group of Jewish fighters, known as the Maccabees, rebelled against the oppressive rule of the Seleucid Empire. After their victory, they rededicated the Second Temple, which had been desecrated by the Greeks, and lit the menorah, a seven-branched candelabrum.
Today, the central ritual of Chanukah involves lighting a nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah. The menorah holds eight candles, representing the eight days that the Temple's menorah miraculously burned with only one day's supply of oil. Each night, an additional candle is lit, accompanied by blessings and prayers. Another important tradition is the eating of foods fried in oil, such as potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot), symbolizing the miracle of the oil.
Chanukah is a time of celebration, family gatherings, gift-giving, playing dreidel, and embracing the
