Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication) is a Jewish winter festival lasting eight days, also called the “Festival of Lights”, which commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil.
Historical origin
In the 2nd century BC, Judea was under the rule of the Seleucids (Greco-Syrians).
King Antiochus IV Epiphanes banned Jewish practice and desecrated the Temple by setting up a pagan altar in it.
The Maccabees, led by Judas Maccabeus, rebelled and won a military and spiritual victory.
In 164 BC, they purified and rededicated the Temple, consecrating the altar and restoring the worship of the God of Israel.
The miracle of the oil
At the rededication, only one flask of pure oil was found, enough for a single day.
Miraculously, it lasted eight days, the time needed to prepare fresh, ritually pure oil.
This miracle is at the heart of the festival and explains its eight-day length.
Practices and traditions
Lighting the hanukkiah (nine-branched candelabrum): one more candle each evening, up to eight. The ninth, the shamash, is used to light the others.
Prayers and songs: blessings and recitation of the Hallel (psalms of praise).
Games: the spinning top (dreidel or sevivon), with Hebrew letters recalling the miracle.
Food: foods fried in oil (soufganiyot doughnuts, latkes potato pancakes), symbolizing the oil of the miracle.
Hanukkah gelt: the tradition of giving money or gifts to children.
Date
Hanukkah begins on 25 Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in December.
In 2025, the festival will take place from 14 to 22 December.
Spiritual significance
Hanukkah celebrates faithfulness to God despite persecution and Hellenization.
It reminds us that divine light triumphs over darkness, and that God’s presence does not depend only on a Temple but is manifested in the life and faith of the people.
In the Gospel of John 10.22, the Messiah Jesus teaches in the Temple just before and perhaps during Hanukkah, presenting himself as the good shepherd and affirming his unity with the Father, giving this festival a new meaning by revealing himself as the true divine presence.
In summary, Hanukkah is both a historical festival (the Maccabees’ victory, the purification of the Temple) and a spiritual festival (the miracle of light, faithfulness to God), celebrated today with the lighting of candles, songs and festive meals.