Every year, Jewish people around the world celebrate Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. Chanukah begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which means the dates shift each year on the Western calendar. This year, the holiday begins at sundown on Dec. 14 and continues through Dec. 22.
The story of Chanukah dates back more than 2,000 years to the land of Judea, where the Syrian-Greek king Antiochus forced the Jewish people to abandon their religion, traditions, and beliefs in favor of Greek worship. While some complied, many resisted — among them Judah Maccabee.
Judah and his four brothers formed a small but determined army. After three years of battle, the Maccabees succeeded in driving the Syrians out of Israel and reclaiming the Temple in Jerusalem.
When they finished cleaning and restoring the Temple, the Maccabees prepared to relight the eternal flame, the N’er Tamid, which burns in every Jewish house of worship. They found only a single small jug of oil, barely enough for one day. Yet after lighting the lamp, a miracle occurred: the flame continued to burn for eight full days.
Chanukah celebrates both the Maccabees’ victory and the rededication of the Temple. The holiday lasts eight days to honor the miracle of the oil, marked each night by lighting the candles of the menorah.
Even the holiday’s name has multiple spellings. Because there is no exact English equivalent for the Hebrew word, many variations exist, including: Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanuka, Hanukah, Hannukah, and Hanukkah. In the United States, “Hanukkah” and “Chanukah” are the most common spellings.
No matter how it’s spelled, the celebration remains the same — a festival of light, resilience, and renewal.
