What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah, often called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that celebrates a historic victory of light over darkness. What is more, it is a celebration of freedom over oppression, and faith over idolatry.
But there is more. Hanukkah commemorates both a miraculous military triumph and a divine act that affirmed God’s faithfulness to His people.
The Days and Nights of Hanukkah: Hebrew and Gregorian Calendars
Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. It typically falls in late November or December on the Gregorian calendar. Because the Hebrew calendar is lunar, the exact dates vary each year on the Gregorian calendar.
The holiday lasts for eight days and nights, and the Jewish people use a unique candelabra – a hanukkiah – to celebrate each day. Every night, an additional candle is lit, progressing to a full hanukkiah with all eight candles (plus the “helper” candle) glowing by the eighth night.
Through this beautiful and meaningful holiday, the Jewish people honor God’s miracles. At the same time, they celebrate the resilience of their faith, both ancient and modern. Hanukkah stands as a testament to the enduring light of God that no force of darkness can extinguish.
Where does the holiday story come from?
The story of Hanukkah comes from historical events recorded primarily in the books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees. These books are part of a collection called the Apocrypha.
The books of Maccabees were written in the intertestamental period (the time between the Old and New Testaments). They provide a detailed account of the Jewish struggle against Greek oppression and the subsequent rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Although these books are not part of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), they are recognized by many Jewish and Christian communities as historical sources.
Hanukkah in the Bible and the Feast of Dedication
By the time of Jesus (Yeshua), Hanukkah was widely celebrated. The New Testament mentions the holiday in John 10:22-23, referring to it as the “Feast of Dedication.”
Through historical and religious sources, the story of Hanukkah has been preserved as a powerful testament to Jewish resilience, faith, and the enduring presence of God.
The Historical Background
Around 167 BCE, the Jewish people were under the rule of the Seleucid Empire, led by King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Antiochus, whose title meant “the manifested one”, sought to impose Greek culture and religion upon the Jewish people. Explicitly, he banned Jewish practices, desecrated the Temple, and set up an altar to Zeus for pagan sacrifices.
This attempt to force Hellenization provoked a major crisis among the Jewish population. In response, a priest named Mattathias and his five sons, including Judah Maccabee, led a revolt against Antiochus’s forces.
Known as the Maccabees, they gathered a group of Jewish freedom fighters who resisted the Greek forces through guerrilla warfare. Against all odds, the Maccabees eventually succeeded in reclaiming Jerusalem and the Temple.
The Miracle of the Oil
Upon entering the desecrated Temple, the Maccabees sought to restore it to proper worship. They cleansed it and rekindled the menorah, the seven-branched lampstand that needed to burn continuously as a symbol of God’s presence.
However, according to tradition, they found only a single small flask of oil. Which was enough to keep the menorah lit for just one day.
Miraculously, this small amount of oil lasted for eight days, giving the priests enough time to prepare more oil. This miracle of the oil became central to the celebration of Hanukkah and is a key reason why the holiday lasts for eight days.
What does Hanukkah mean in Hebrew?
In Hebrew, Hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה) means “dedication” or “consecration.” The name reflects the holiday’s historical roots in the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. At the time, it needed to be restored after the Seleucid Greeks defiled it.
When the Maccabees reclaimed and purified the Temple, they dedicated it anew to the worship of God.
The term Hanukkah emphasizes this act of renewal and commitment to God, marking the Temple’s return to its holy purpose. In a broader sense, Hanukkah symbolizes a personal rededication of one’s life and faith.
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
With its themes of faith, resilience, and divine light, the Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah in very unique ways.
Modern Jewish and Israeli Observance
In modern Jewish life, Hanukkah is all about joy, gratitude, and symbolism. Observers light the hanukkiah, a special nine-branched menorah. As mentioned previously, it holds a candle for each night of the holiday, plus a “helper” candle, called the shamash, which is used to light the others.
Each evening, families gather to recite blessings, light the candles, and sing traditional songs. All that to celebrate the miracles that occurred for their people.
In Israel, Hanukkah takes on a particularly vibrant character, with public menorah lightings, festive events, and traditional foods. Most famously, during Hanukkah Israelis eat sufganiyot (jelly-filled donuts) and latkes (potato pancakes), which are fried in oil. This, of course, connects to the holiday’s theme of miraculous multiplication of oil.
Schools usually close for a “Hanukkah vacation.” And cities across Israel glow with the light of hanukkiot displayed in windows and public spaces.
Why celebrate Hanukkah?
At its heart, Hanukkah celebrates God’s faithfulness. We see it in the miraculous victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Greeks, and in the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days.
For many Jewish people, Hanukkah is a time to reflect on perseverance and the protection of their heritage and faith against all odds. In a spiritual sense, Hanukkah also reminds believers of God’s light prevailing over darkness and restoration of purity.
This idea resonates strongly with the Messianic Jewish community. Most of them celebrate Hanukkah as a symbol of God’s redemptive power and enduring promises to Israel. For Messianic Jews, Hanukkah is not only about historical events. More importantly, it is also about celebrating the Light of the World—Yeshua (Jesus)—and the restoration that He brings.
Customs for Celebration
Hanukkah customs are rich with symbolism and tradition. Here are some of the most meaningful ways you can celebrate Hanukkah today:
1. Lighting the Hanukkiah
The most central Hanukkah tradition is lighting the hanukkiah, a nine-branched menorah. Each night, light one additional candle until all eight are glowing on the final night.
We already mentioned that the ninth candle is called the shamash, or “the helper candle”. It is used to light the others and signifies the light that spreads to others. As each candle is lit, Jewish people recite blessings to acknowledge God’s miracles.
2. Special Prayers and Songs
Each night in a Jewish home, blessings are recited over the hanukkiah, followed by traditional songs of praise. One well-loved song is Maoz Tzur (“Rock of Ages”), which tells the story of God’s salvation throughout history.
You can find the songs online, but better yet, turn to the Bible. Many families read passages from the Psalms or recount the Hanukkah story from the books of Maccabees. While doing so, they highlight the values of courage and divine provision.
3. Traditional Foods: Oil-Based and Dairy
Hanukkah foods often center on oil, representing the miracle of the Temple oil. Traditional dishes include:
- Latkes: Fried potato pancakes, often served with applesauce or sour cream.
- Sufganiyot: Jelly-filled donuts, another treat fried in oil, which is especially popular in Israel.
Dairy dishes, like cheese, are also sometimes included. These honor the bravery of Judith, a Jewish heroine whose story is associated with Hanukkah.
4. Playing Dreidel
The dreidel, a four-sided spinning top, is a beloved Hanukkah game. Each side of the dreidel bears a Hebrew letter—Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin. They represent the phrase “Nes Gadol Haya Sham” (“A Great Miracle Happened There”).
In Israel, the letters slightly differ, spelling “A Great Miracle Happened Here.” The game is played with chocolate coins or other treats, bringing fun and a reminder of the miracle to children and adults alike.
How do Messianic Jews celebrate?
For Messianic Jews, Hanukkah is a meaningful celebration that highlights God’s ongoing faithfulness to Israel and His gift of Yeshua, the Light of the World. In addition to traditional Hanukkah practices, Messianic Jews may add specific elements to express their faith in Yeshua as the Messiah:
- Recognizing Yeshua as the Light: Messianic Jews see a deep connection between the light of the hanukkiah and the light that Yeshua brings to the world. In the Gospel of John, Yeshua proclaims: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). This theme is cherished during Hanukkah. Many Messianic families meditate on how Yeshua brings spiritual light and redemption, just as the oil provided physical light in the Temple.
- Seeing the Menorah from a Messianic perspective: Jewish believers often pay special attention to the “shamash” or servant candle. It lights all the other candles on a hanukkiah. It can serve as a symbol of Yeshua who serves and brings light to the world.
- Retelling the Hanukkah Story with a Messianic Perspective: Messianic Jews also retell the traditional story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil. However, they also reflect on the hope and renewal that comes through Yeshua. Many Messianic families share how the rededication of the Temple reflects the rededication of their own lives to God. We honor His call to live as a “light to the nations” (Isaiah 42:6).
- Reading from the New Testament: Since Yeshua observed Hanukkah (John 10:22-23), Messianic Jews often read this passage and reflect on His role in the Temple during the Festival of Dedication. This remembrance is a reminder of how God’s presence still “dwells among us” through Yeshua. Just as His light did in the ancient Temple.
The Deeper Meaning of the Holiday
Hanukkah is more than a celebration of a historical victory. It is also a celebration of light in the face of darkness and the power of God’s faithfulness.
For all who celebrate, Hanukkah is a time to honor God’s miracles, to rededicate themselves to Him, and to spread light to those around them. For believers in Jesus, it is a season of gratitude for God’s redemptive power through Yeshua. It is a reminder of their shared calling to bring His light to the world.
Hanukkah Guide: Free PDF Download
More than just “the Jewish answer to Christmas,” what is Hanukkah exactly? Where did this holiday originate? How did Jesus celebrate it? How do we celebrate Hanukkah today?
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