Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the miracle of the oil that took place in the Second Temple of Jerusalem. It commemorates the victory of the Maccabees, a small group of Jewish rebels, over the oppressive Seleucid Greek king Antiochus IV. The observance of Hanukkah holds great importance in the Jewish faith as it signifies the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over defilement, and of spirituality over materialism. During this time, traditions such as lighting the menorah, playing the dreidel game, and enjoying festive foods are practiced to honor and remember the history behind the holiday.

The history of Hanukkah dates back to the 2nd century BCE when the Jewish people in Israel fought against the oppression of the Seleucid Empire. The story of the Maccabean revolt represents the struggle of the Jews to preserve their religious and cultural identity amidst external pressures. The miracle of the oil, in which a one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days when the Maccabees rededicated the Second Temple, serves as a powerful symbol of hope and divine intervention during the darkest of times. For Israelis, Hanukkah serves as a reminder of the strength and courage of their ancestors in the face of adversity.

In Israel, Hanukkah is observed with great enthusiasm as it encapsulates national pride and promotes unity among the diverse population. Symbolic customs such as lighting the menorah in homes and public spaces, indulging in foods fried in oil (like sufganiyot and latkes), and participating in lively songs and dances are practiced across the nation. Furthermore, it is an opportunity for Israelis to express gratitude for the miracle of the reestablishment of an independent Jewish state in the ancestral homeland. Hanukkah in Israel takes place at the same time as it occurs internationally, in the Hebrew month of Kislev, usually corresponding with December in the Gregorian calendar.