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| Observed by: | Jews | |
| Name | Hebrew: חנוכה | |
| Meaning: | "The renewal and dedication of Beit Hamikdash" | |
| Begins: | 25th day of Kislev | |
| Ends: | 2nd/3rd day of Tevet | |
| Occasion | The Maccabee succesful rebelion against the Greeks The purification of the Temple | |
| Symbols: | Candles in Chanukiah, Dreidel (Sevivon) | |
| Related to: | Judas Maccabeus | |
Chanukah (חנכה ḥanukkāh, or חנוכה ḥanukkāh) is a Jewish holiday, also known as the Festival of lights. "Chanukah" is a Hebrew word meaning "dedication". It is also spelled Chanuka, Hannukah or Hanukkah. The first evening of Chanukah (called Erev Chanukah) starts after the sunset of the 24th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Since in Jewish tradition the calendar date starts at sunset, Chanukah begins on the 25th.
The story of Chanukah is preserved in the books of 1 Maccabees and 2 Maccabees. These books are not part of the Hebrew Bible, but are part of the deuterocanonical historical and religious material from the SeptuagintThe Septuagint (LXX is the name commonly given to the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible ( Old Testament) made in the first centuries BC. The Septuagint bible includes additional books beyond those used in today's Jewish Tanakh. The additional books we; this material was not later codified by Jews as part of the Bible, but was so codified by Catholics and Eastern Orthodox.
Around 200 BCECenturies: 3rd century BC 2nd century BC 1st century BC Decades: 250s BC 240s BC 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 170s BC 160s BC 150s BC Years: 205 BC 204 BC 203 BC 202 BC 201 BC 200 BC 199 BC 198 BC 197 BC 196 BC 195 BC Events Rome declar Jews lived as an autonomous people in the land of IsraelThe Land of Israel (Hebrew: Eretz Yisrael refers to the land making up the ancient Jewish Kingdoms of Israel and Judah. The term has been used by Jews and Christians throughout history. This territory includes the modern State of Israel, the West Bank and, which at this time was controlled by the SeleucidSeleucus I Nicator Nicator "the Victor") (around 358 281 BC) was one of Alexander the Great's generals who, after Alexander's death in 323 BC, founded the Seleucid Empire. He established himself and his family in Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau, rulin King of SyriaThe Syrian Arab Republic is a country in Southwest Asia, bordering (from south to north) on Lebanon, Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Turkey. The border with Israel is subject to dispute, pending the resolution of outstanding conflicts over possession of the Gola. The Jewish people paid taxes to Syria and accepted its legal authority, and by and large were free to follow their own faith, maintain their own jobs, and engage in trade.
By 180 BCECenturies: 3rd century BC 2nd century BC 1st century BC Decades: 230s BC 220s BC 210s BC 200s BC 190s BC 180s BC 150s BC 140s BC 130s BC 120s BC 110s BC Years: 185 BC 184 BC 183 BC 182 BC 181 BC 180 BC 179 BC 178 BC 177 BC 176 BC 175 BC Birth Death Empres Antiochus IV EpiphanesAntiochus IV Epiphanes (originally named Mithradates, but renamed Antiochus either upon his ascension or after the death of his elder brother Antiochus) (c. 215 163 BC, reigned 175 163 BC) was one of the Seleucid emperors, son of Antiochus III the Great a ascended to the Seleucid throne. At first little changed, but under his reign Jews were gradually forced to violate the precepts of their faith. Jews rebelled at having to do this. Under the reign of Antiochus IV, the Temple in JerusalemCapitals in Asia For alternate uses see Jerusalem (disambiguation Jerusalem ( Modern Hebrew: Yerushalayim Biblical Hebrew: Arabic: al-Quds see also Names of Jerusalem) is an ancient Middle Eastern city of key importance to the religions of Judaism, Christ was looted, Jews were massacred, and Judaism was effectively outlawed.
In 167 BCE Antiochus ordered an altar to Zeus erected in the Temple. Mattathias, a Jewish priest, and his five sons John, Simon, Eleazar, Jonathan, and Judah led a rebellion against Antiochus. Judah became known as Judah Maccabe (Judah The Hammer). By 166 BCE Mattathias had died, and Judah took his place as leader. By 165 BCE the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid monarchy was successful. The Temple was liberated and rededicated.
The festival of Hannukah was instituted by Judah Maccabee and his brothers to celebrate this event. (1 Macc. iv. 59). After having recovered Jerusalem and the Temple, Judah ordered the Temple to be cleansed, a new altar to be built in place of the polluted one, and new holy vessels to be made. When the fire had been kindled anew upon the altar and the lamps of the candlestick lit, the dedication of the altar was celebrated for eight days amid sacrifices and songs (1 Macc. iv. 36).
A number of historians believe that the reason for the eight day celebration was that the first Hannukah was in effect a belated celebration of the festival of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles (2 Macc. x. 6 and i. 9). During the war the Jews were not able to celebrate Sukkot properly. Sukkot also lasts for eight days, and was a holiday in which the lighting of lamps played a prominent part during the Second Temple period (Suk.v. 2-4). Lights were also kindled in the household, and the popular name of the festival was, therefore, according to Josephus ( Jewish Antiquities xii. 7, § 7) the "Festival of Lights." It has been noted that Jewish festivals are connected to the harvesting of the Biblical seven fruits which Israel was famed for. Pesah is a celebration of the barley harvest, Shavouth of the wheat, Sukkoth of the figs, dates, pomegrantes and grapes and Hannukah of the olives. The olive harvest is in November and olive oil would be ready in time for Hannukah in December. The origins of Hannukah are probably even earlier and more basic. Three main religions have festivals immediately after the winter solstice: Christians Christmas, Hindus Diwali and Jews Hannukah, all are celebrated with lights.