Hanukkah: 8 facts to know about the holiday, from the menorah oil to the history and food
Hanukkah, also known as the festival of lights, is upon us. The Jewish holiday celebrates the Maccabean revolt against the Syrian-Greek army. The lighting of the menorah is perhaps the most well-known tradition. The menorah is usually placed in a window or a doorway.
"Hanukkah is a Jewish festival of lighting lights during the darkest time of the year. Just as on Christmas, we talk about the star of Bethlehem and about Jesus being a new light. We all want to see the light come back and we all want to look past the winter into spring, and I think that's wonderful," said Rabbi Leonard Gordon of B'nai Tikvah in Canton.
The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. Although there was only enough oil to keep the menorah on the altar burning for one night, the menorah miraculously burned for eight days.
2. A menorah is lit each night of the holiday
A menorah is a candelabra with nine candles: four candles on each side and one in the center to light all the others. The center candle, known as the shamash, sits higher than the other candles. One candle is lit each day of Hanukkah.
3. The word 'Hanukkah' means 'dedication'
The holiday celebrates the triumph of a Maccabees in reclaiming their temple after it was desecrated by Syrian-Greeks.
4. The many spellings
You may have seen the holiday spelled Hanukkah, Hannuka or Chanukah. The most common version is Hanukkah. There is no correct way to directly translate the Hebrew sounds to English, so it is also pronounced many ways.
A spinning top with letters printed on its side was played in both Germany and England starting in about the 16th century. European Jews adopted the game and replaced the German and English letters with Hebrew ones to engage with the scripture. Now the dreidel is used throughout the holiday.
People fry their food in oil for Hanukkah as a symbol of the miracle oil that burned for eight nights.
The Maccabees, an army of Jewish rebels, conquered the Syrian-Greeks who defiled the holy temple in Jerusalem. The Maccabees then reclaimed the temple.
8. Why are Hanukkah dates different each year?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of the month of Kislev on the Hebrew calendar. This date is different each year in the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used around the world.
In 2023, Hanukkah is the evening of Thursday, Dec. 7 through Friday, Dec. 15, 2023
In 2024, Hannukkah is the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 through Thursday, Jan. 2, 2024.
In 2025, Hannukkah is the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2024 through Thursday, Dec. 22, 2024.
In 2026, Hannukkah is the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 through Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.
In 2027, Hannukkah is the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2024 through Thursday, Jan. 1, 2024.
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This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 8 facts to know about the Jewish holiday Hanukkah.
