By Sara Noah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday commemorating a significant event from the 2nd century BCE. This was when the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, triumphed over the Greek forces attempting to suppress their religion and culture. Below, we explore the significance, traditions, and symbols of this cherished celebration.
When is Hanukkah celebrated in 2024?
Hanukkah begins on the 25th of Kislev, the third month of the Hebrew calendar, which typically falls in November or December of the Gregorian calendar.
In 2024, Hanukkah will commence on the evening of 25th December and continue until 2nd January 2025.
Traditionally, the festival lasts for eight days. However, these days are not considered public holidays, meaning adults continue working, while schoolchildren often enjoy a holiday break.
The Meaning of the Festival
In Judaism, Hanukkah symbolises the triumph of light over darkness and reinforces hope for freedom and fidelity to tradition. It celebrates spiritual resilience and serves as a reminder of unity, as Jewish families come together to light candles and honour their heritage.
Although Hanukkah is not mentioned in the Torah, it is widely observed by Jews worldwide. According to Dr Natalia Fominykh, a professor and religion expert from Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, the festival holds significant cultural importance.
“Despite its absence in the Torah, Hanukkah is celebrated on a grand scale. Monumental menorahs are displayed not only in Israel but in other countries too. Families come together to light candles, share traditional recipes cooked in oil, and relive the collective memory of their ancestors,” she explains.
The History of Hanukkah
The origins of Hanukkah can be traced back to events in 4th–2nd centuries BCE in Israel, when the Jewish people lived under Greek rule. Initially, Alexander the Great (356–323 BCE) allowed Jews to practise their faith freely. However, following his death, the Seleucid dynasty rose to power, and in 175 BCE, the Syrian king Antiochus IV Epiphanes sought to impose Greek customs and religion upon the Jewish people.
During this period, many Jews adopted Hellenistic practices, abandoning the commandments of the Torah and their spiritual way of life. This led Antiochus IV to ban the Torah entirely, loot temple treasuries, and desecrate places of worship by installing idols, persecuting Jews who adhered to their traditions.
In response, the Jewish people revolted, engaging in guerrilla warfare that lasted nearly three years. Despite being vastly outnumbered, their strategic attacks and swift retreats into the mountains eventually led to the ousting of the Greek forces and the overthrow of Antiochus IV.
On 25th Kislev 164 BCE, the victorious Jews ascended the Temple Mount to rededicate the temple, which had been defiled. However, they discovered only one jar of oil, sufficient to light the menorah – the seven-branched temple candelabrum – for a single day. Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, allowing time to purify the temple and produce new oil.
In memory of this miracle, Hanukkah has been celebrated for eight days ever since.
Eight Key Hanukkah Traditions
Hanukkah is marked by a wealth of traditions that imbue the festival with joy and meaning. Synagogues hold special prayers, known as Hallel, while families gather to celebrate the miraculous events of the past.
1. Lighting the Hanukkiah
The central tradition of Hanukkah involves lighting the hanukkiah – a nine-branched candelabrum. Eight candles represent the eight days of the miracle, with the ninth, the shamash (helper), used to light the others.
Placement: The hanukkiah is displayed on a windowsill or another visible location to spread the light and remind passers-by of the miracle.
Lighting Order: Candles are lit from left to right, but new candles are always placed on the right. On the first night, one candle is lit, two on the second night, and so forth until all eight are lit on the final night.
“The hanukkiah symbolises the miracle of the oil,” notes Dr Natalia Fominykh. “Lighting the candles must follow strict rules – the first candle is lit with the shamash after sunset on 25th Kislev. This ritual is usually performed by the male head of the family, with all family members present to receive divine blessings.”
2. Blessings and Songs
Special blessings are recited before lighting the candles, followed by the singing of Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), a traditional Hanukkah hymn celebrating the salvation of the Jewish people.
3. Dreidel Games
A popular tradition, especially among children, is spinning the dreidel, a four-sided spinning top. Each side is inscribed with a Hebrew letter: נ (Nun), ג (Gimel), ה (Hei), and ש (Shin), representing the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” – “A great miracle happened there.”
In Israel, the dreidel features the letter פ (Peh), signifying “here” instead of “there.” Children play for chocolate coins known as Hanukkah gelt.
4. Cooking and Eating Foods Fried in Oil
Foods cooked in oil commemorate the miracle of the oil. Traditional dishes include latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).
5. Giving Hanukkah Gelt
It is customary to give children small sums of money or chocolate coins to encourage charity and learning during the festival.
6. Telling the Story of Hanukkah
Families retell the story of Hanukkah, instilling its lessons of resilience and faith in younger generations.
7. Charitable Acts
Hanukkah is a time for generosity. Many families donate to charities or help those in need as a way of spreading light in the world.
8. Celebratory Gatherings
Communities and families come together to enjoy festive meals, play games, and celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah in unity.
Hanukkah continues to inspire Jewish families across the globe, fostering hope, faith, and the celebration of their enduring traditions.
