by David Wilcox

Created on: January 22, 2009

Hanukkah is an eight day, Jewish celebration, commemorating the re-dedication of the Hebrew Temple in Jerusalem. It is often referred to as the Festival of Lights or the Feast of Dedication, and is directly translated from the Hebrew verb as meaning "to dedicate". The annual celebration begins on the eve of the 25thday of Kislev, which usually occurs in the early days of December. During this holiday, Menorahs (special candelabras) are lit every night, and feasts abounding with goods made with olive oil take place. All the prayers, rituals and objects used during the celebration are intended to remind the participants of the reason for the festival.

Hanukkah was first established in 165 B.C. during the eight day re-dedication of The Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The cause for this re-dedication was due to the Jews' former Greek ruler Antiochus who, after gaining the thrown in 175 B.C. outlawed Judaism, invaded the Temple, slaughtered many of the priests and then ordered the Greek god Zeus to be worshipped there. His brutally harsh actions outraged many Jews and quickly caused a rebellion in 168 B.C. led by the Jewish priest Mattathias. Mattathias and his followers diligently fought the Greeks for the next two years, till Mattathias died in 166 B.C. Judah Maccabee, one of his five sons, also known as "Judah the Hammer" took charge of the rebellion, and in 165 B.C. managed to reclaim Jerusalem as well as their Temple.

Immediately afterwards, the conquerors began to repair the damages made to the temple, which included the installation of a new altar as well as the making of new holy vessels and such. Upon completion they uncovered a problem; the Talmud gave instructions for the Menorah to be lit throughout the night, however they could only recover a single pot of the appropriate olive oil, enough to last for just one day. Despite this, they continued with the re-dedication, lighting the Menorah as was required. Miraculously the small pot of olive oil lasted eight days in which time new oil had been prepared and the Menorah replenished. Because of this amazing event, the Jewish sages instituted Hanukkah to be an eight day celebration in commemoration of the re-dedication of the Temple as well as the miraculous pot of olive oil that kept the Menorah lit for eight days.

Today Hanukkah is still celebrated as a Jewish festival. Symbolic traditions, such as eating potato pancakes, jellied doughnuts and other such foods that are fried in olive oil, are observed during Hanukkah. Each family as well progressively lights the eight candles on the Menorah over the eight day period, so that one is lit the first day, two the next, and eight on the last day. Songs and the traditional game dreidel are also sung and played. All in all, Hanukkah is celebrated in memory of the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the wondrous eight day miracle.

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