HOME | ARTICLES | EMAIL the AUTHOR

The Meaning of Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also written Chanukah, comes from the Hebrew חנוכה meaning "dedication" and recalls when the Jerusalem temple and altar was "rededicated" after having been defiled by the Greeks under Antiochus Epiphanes - who were defeated in 164 b.c.e., by the Jewish rebels known as the Maccabees meaning "hammers". It is a joyful celebration of overcoming heathen influences, the ending of persecution and the freedom to observe our religion. It is a memorial to the historical and ongoing conflict between Judaism and the ways of the world. It is also called "The Festival of Lights" which refers to the relighting of the temple menorah with miraculously supplied oil.

Hanukkah is not a mandated observance in the Torah, but is rather a civil celebration, and for this reason the sect of Karaite Jews do not observe it in any way. Virtually all other Jews do celebrate including Natzraya but not necessarily according to the regulations of a proper shabbat. Our Mashiach Rabbi Yeshua and his disciples observed the winter festival in Jerusalem as recorded in the Natzari Besorah.

When is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah is always celebrated for 8 days beginning on the evening of the 25^th of of the 9^th moon also known as Kislev on the Jewish calendar. This usually coincides sometime between November and December. To check the dates see our Calendar page. Remember that like other Jewish festivals, these begin on the eve before the dates given.

The Hanukkah Menorah

The centerpiece of the celebration is the lighting of the menorah recalling the legend of the miracle of the oil. The Hanukkah menorah has eight lights - one for each day of the miracle. Some also have a 9th light called the shamash or service light. It remains lit throughout the eight day festival. The reason a 9th candle was added is so because it was thought improper to do any task by the light of the 8 lamps, so an additional common lamp was added. Now any work afforded by the light of the menorah was attributed to the service lamp. The Hanukkah menorah is also called the Hanukkiah or Chanukiah and comes in all variety of materials, shapes and configurations which are only limited by the imagination.

If displaying your menorah indoors it is recommend to use wax candles as they do not produce soot. If displaying outdoors it is recommend to use olive oil and cotton wicks because their flame is very wind resistant.

Hanukkah Foods

Foods fried in oil are traditional in making a connection with the miracle of the oil such as donuts and fritters.

Popular foods are beef brisket and potato latkes with sour cream or applesauce.

Wine and cheese or cheesecake is enjoyed, recalling how Judith of Bethulia saved her village with a meal of cheese and wine.

Hanukkah Songs

Some popular Hanukkah songs are;

Maoz Tsur

Chag Ha-Hanukkah

Yemei Ha-Hanukkah

LiChavod Ha-Hanukkah

I have a little Dreidel

Hanukkah Games

The popular traditional game played during Hanukkah is the Dreidel. The dreidel is a yiddish word meaning "spinner". There are four sides on the dreidel each with a Hebrew letter; נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin). Each letter is for a Hebrew word נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), ש (Shin). The game can be played with nuts, raisons, candies, small coins but most often today it is played with chocolates wrapped to look like shiny coins. The starting amount for each player is about a dozen pieces. This games recalls how the Greeks forbid us to study the Torah. So when Jews gathered to study the Torah, if a patrol of Greeks approached the dreidel would be brought out to make it appear that they were merely gambling.

Gift Giving

One should not attempt to fill this special time with gifts for the sake of competing with Christmas, however gifts of food and clothing to the poor is always encouraged for the winter months ahead (for those in the northern climate). 

Hanukkah Readings

Blessings - each night a blessing is said when lighting the lamps of the menorah. The first blessing is only said on the first evening. The second blessing is said on all 8 evenings.

Hallel

Daniel ch. 8

1 Maccabees

2 Maccabees

3 Maccabees

4 Maccabees

Book of Judith