Wish to study extra concerning the Pageant of Lights? From its wealthy historic background to beloved customs and symbols, this checklist of Hanukkah details will make clear the essence of this cherished Jewish vacation, offering you with a deeper understanding of its significance and traditions.
Hanukkah Information Everybody Ought to Know
Hanukkah commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple of Jerusalem.
This lovely Jewish vacation commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews’ victory within the Maccabean Revolt towards oppressive rulers within the 2nd century BCE. Watch this video to study extra about The Story of Hanukkah.
Supply: 8 Fascinating Information About Hanukkah at Aish
Hanukkah is the Jewish Pageant of Lights.
The phrase means “dedication” in Hebrew and the vacation is noticed by lighting candles.
Supply: What Is Hanukkah? at BBC
The phrase “Hanukkah” has many spellings.
These embody “Chanukah” and “Chanukkah.” The variations stem from variations in transliteration from Hebrew to English.
Supply: Which Is Right: Hanukkah or Chanukah? at Britannica
Hanukkah lasts for eight nights.
Hanukkah begins on the twenty fifth day of the Jewish month of Kislev and concludes on the second or third day of Tevet.
Supply: When Is Hanukkah (Chanukah) Celebrated at Chabad
Hanukkah begins on a special date yearly.
Hanukkah relies on the Hebrew calendar somewhat than the Gregorian calendar most individuals use. The Hebrew calendar relies on the moon’s calendar somewhat than the solar’s. In 2023, Hanukkah begins December 7 and goes by way of December 15.
One of many central themes of Hanukkah is the miracle of the oil.
In line with custom, when the Maccabees reclaimed the Temple of Jerusalem, they discovered solely sufficient oil to mild the menorah for sooner or later. However miraculously, it lasted for eight days.
Supply: 13 Hanukkah Information Each Jew Ought to Know at Chabad
The menorah is a major image of Hanukkah.
There are 9 branches for 9 candles on the menorah. Why are there 9 when the pageant lasts for eight days? The central candle, known as the shamash, is used to mild the eight different menorah candles, one for every evening of the vacation.
Supply: 8 Issues You Ought to Know About Hanukkah at Historical past Channel
Oil was historically used to mild the menorah.
At the moment, many use particular Hanukkah candles as an alternative, however some proceed to make use of olive oil for this special day.
Supply: Why Do We Mild the Menorah With Olive Oil? at Aish
The candles are positioned on the menorah from proper to left.
However they’re lit from left to proper.
Supply: How To Mild the Hanukkah Menorah at My Jewish Studying
Hanukkah candles should solely burn after evening falls.
It’s because their goal is to carry mild into darkness.
Supply: The Legal guidelines of Chanukah at Ohr Somayach
“Hanukkiah” is one other title for a menorah.
Individuals used the the time period “menorah” for years, however those that communicate fashionable Hebrew usually use the time period “hanukkiah.” It’s because the phrase “menorah” means “light” and may even be used to seek advice from a ceiling mild. When addressing an English-speaking viewers, nevertheless, utilizing the time period “menorah” is extra traditionally correct.
Supply: Menorah vs. Hanukkiah at Chabad
Giving items just isn’t a convention of Hanukkah.
Some households could select to provide items to household, nevertheless, however that’s a contemporary observe. Chocolate cash wrapped in gold or silver foil known as gelt is usually given to children, although. The custom of giving gelt has historic roots, as cash was typically given to youngsters as a Hanukkah reward.
Supply: The Actual Motive American Jews Give Presents Throughout Hanukkah at Time Journal
Dreidel is a standard Hanukkah sport.
A dreidel is a spinning high with Hebrew letters on all sides. The letters on the dreidel signify the phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham,” which suggests “A great miracle happened there.” Gamers take turns spinning the dreidel, and relying on which letter it lands on, they both win or lose sport tokens (typically chocolate cash known as gelt).
Supply: How To Play Dreidel at Chabad
Meals fried in oil are a standard a part of Hanukkah celebrations.
Meals resembling potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) are fashionable selections throughout Hanukkah.
Supply: The Stunning Origins of 5 Hanukkah Traditions at Time Journal
An older customized concerned consuming cheese pancakes throughout Hanukkah.
Potatoes had been unknown to the Jews till the late sixteenth century. Finally, cheese latkes advanced into potato latkes, and a brand new customized was born.
Supply: Uncover the Historical past of Latkes Throughout Hanukkah at PBS
A number of songs are related to Hanukkah.
These embody “Ma’oz Tzur,” “Blessings on the Menorah,” “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah,” and “Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel.” Individuals sing these songs throughout candle lighting and festivities.
Supply: Hanukkah Songs by Chabad
The Hebrew bible doesn’t point out Hanukkah.
That’s as a result of the Maccabean Revolt didn’t happen till after the Torah, typically restricted to the primary 5 books of the Outdated Testomony, was written.
Supply: Is Chanukah Talked about within the Torah? at Chabad
It isn’t a significant spiritual vacation on the Jewish calendar.
Different lesser-known holidays, resembling Sukkot and Shavuot, carry far more spiritual significance than Hanukkah.
Supply: 10 shocking details you didn’t learn about Hanukkah at Enterprise Insider
Jewish communities all over the world have fun Hanukkah.
Whereas traditions and customs could fluctuate, the central themes of miracles, freedom, and light-weight are common.
Supply: Hanukkah at Britannica
In contrast to another Jewish holidays, it’s OK for Jews to work throughout Hanukkah.
Whereas historically work just isn’t permitted on the Jewish excessive holy days of Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, this doesn’t apply for Hanukkah.
President George W. Bush held the primary official White Home Hanukkah get together.
In 1951, Prime Minister of Israel David Ben-Gurion gave President Harry Truman a menorah as a present. Then, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter turned the primary American president to publicly attend a Hanukkah candle lighting. Whereas President Ronald Reagan spoke at Hanukkah occasions, George H.W. Bush was the primary to attend a candle lighting of his workers contained in the White Home. In 1993, Invoice Clinton adopted, and his successor President George W. Bush held an official occasion in 2001. President Barack Obama, President Donald Trump, and President Joe Biden continued the custom.
Supply: Menorah Lighting on the George W. Bush White Home Archives
Astronauts celebrated Hanukkah in area in 1993.
In December 1993, House Shuttle Endeavour launched into a mission to service the Hubble House Telescope. Among the many brave astronauts who carried out a spacewalk was Jeffrey A. Hoffman. Conscious that he could be spending Hanukkah in area, Hoffman introduced a dreidel and a transportable menorah for the event.
Utilizing stay satellite tv for pc communication, he displayed his Hanukkah necessities, playfully spun the dreidel within the weightlessness of area, and prolonged heat greetings to Jewish communities worldwide. Right here’s a video of the primary dreidel in area. Completely satisfied Hanukkah!
Supply: House Station twentieth: Celebrating the Holidays in House at NASA
Individuals mild the Nationwide Menorah yearly in Washington, D.C.
Extremely, it’s 30 toes tall! How do individuals mild it? With a cherry picker, in fact. Right here’s a fast video!
Supply: Nationwide Menorah Lighting
The most important menorah on the earth is in New York Metropolis.
Designed by Yaacov Agam, the menorah is 32 toes tall, 28 toes large, and weighs 4,000 kilos. It was unveiled throughout from Central Park on December 29, 2005.
Supply: Largest menorah at Guinness World Data
To want somebody a “Happy Hanukkah,” say “Hanukkah Sameach!”
That is the standard vacation greeting.
Supply: Hanukkah Glossary at Chabad