CHANUKKAH Meaning and
Definition
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Chanukkah, also spelled Hanukkah, is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE. This holiday is observed on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in late November or December in the Gregorian calendar. Chanukkah holds great significance in Jewish tradition, celebrating the miraculous restoration of the Temple after it had been desecrated by the Seleucid Empire.
The festival derives its name from the Hebrew word "Chanukah," which means "dedication." According to historical accounts, after liberating the Temple from the Greeks, a small group of Jewish fighters needed to light the menorah, a seven-branch candelabrum, but only found one day’s worth of purified oil. Miraculously, this tiny amount of oil lasted for eight days, allowing the Jews to complete the necessary purification rituals. Therefore, on each night of Chanukkah, Jewish families light the menorah, adding one candle each day until the eighth day when all the candles are illuminated.
Aside from the candle lighting ceremony, other customs and traditions are observed during Chanukkah. Families often exchange gifts, particularly gelt (money) or dreidels (spinning tops) with chocolate coins. A special prayer, known as the Hallel, is recited, expressing gratitude for the miracles that took place during this historical event. Traditional foods, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), are also prepared and enjoyed during the celebrations. The Chanukkah story, emphasizing the importance of courage, faith, and devotion, continues to inspire and unite Jewish communities worldwide.
Common Misspellings for CHANUKKAH
- chanuka
- chanukka
- channukah
- chanukah
- xhanukkah
- vhanukkah
- fhanukkah
- dhanukkah
- cganukkah
- cbanukkah
- cnanukkah
- cjanukkah
- cuanukkah
- cyanukkah
- chznukkah
- chsnukkah
- chwnukkah
- chqnukkah
- chabukkah
- chamukkah
Etymology of CHANUKKAH
The word "Chanukkah" (also spelled as Hanukkah) is derived from the Hebrew language. It originates from the Hebrew word חֲנֻכָּה (pronounced Khanukah), which means "dedication" or "inauguration". The word refers to the Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE.
Similar spelling words for CHANUKKAH
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