Hanukkah

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Beginning on the 25th of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar (usually in December), it is marked by nightly menorah lightings, special foods, games, and songs, celebrated in Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

• Eight nights of menorah lighting, adding a candle each evening
• Traditional foods include latkes and sufganiyot, fried in oil
• Children play the dreidel game and receive Hanukkah gelt
• Public menorah lightings are held in cities worldwide
• Commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem

What it is

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. Each of its eight nights is marked by lighting candles on a special menorah, adding one candle each night until all are aglow. The festival is a time for families and communities to come together, share traditional foods, sing songs, and reflect on themes of resilience, dedication, and the enduring spirit of the Jewish people. Though considered a minor religious holiday, Hanukkah holds deep cultural significance and is widely observed.

Where it comes from

Hanukkah's roots lie in the events of the Maccabean Revolt, when Jewish fighters reclaimed Jerusalem and purified the Second Temple. The Books of Maccabees recount the rededication of the Temple and the eight-day celebration that followed. Later rabbinic tradition, recorded in the Talmud, tells of a miracle: a single day's supply of pure oil, found in the Temple, burned for eight days—long enough to prepare more oil. This miracle became central to Hanukkah's meaning, symbolizing hope and faith in times of adversity.

How it is celebrated

The heart of Hanukkah is the nightly menorah lighting, with families and communities gathering to add a new candle each evening, using the shamash (attendant candle) to kindle the others. Special blessings and songs, such as 'Ma'oz Tzur', accompany the ritual. Traditional foods fried in oil, like potato latkes and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), recall the miracle of the oil. Children play dreidel, a spinning top game, and may receive Hanukkah gelt—coins or chocolate treats. Public menorah lightings, especially in large cities, have become a way to share the festival's message with wider communities.

Joining in

Visitors in Israel or cities with vibrant Jewish communities can experience Hanukkah through public menorah lightings, festive gatherings, and street celebrations. Expect to see glowing menorahs in windows, taste sweet and savory fried treats, and hear lively music. Many synagogues and community centers welcome newcomers to join in the candle lighting and festivities, offering a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Hanukkah, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Hanukkah on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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