The date of this holiday is not fixed, but is calculated according to the lunar-solar calendar. Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and nights. This year’s celebrations will begin at sunset on 14 December and will end with darkness on 22 December.
Hanukkah signifies the victory of light over darkness, namely the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.
History of the holiday
In the 2nd century B.C., the Jewish people were free to practice religion after defeating the Greco-Syrian armies and rebuilding the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
However, 175 B.C. Antiochus Epiphianus came to power and banned the religion and sent all the shrines, along with the menorah, to Syria. The Jews began a struggle which lasted for three years.
When the rebels went up to the desecrated Jerusalem temple, they found only one jug of ritual oil for the lamps in the room. The liquid would only last for twenty-four hours, but a miracle occurred – the fire burned for eight days.
During this time, the Jews were able to prepare oil for the lamps and purify the temple with candles. Hanukkah, which sounds similar to the word “purification” in Hebrew, is celebrated every year in honour of this.
Hanukkah traditions
On the first night of the holiday, a special candle holder called a chanukiah is placed. Eight candles are lit in it. The central one is lit on the first day, it is called a shamash, and the rest are added daily. The candles are added from left to right.
The Chanukiah is lit before sunset and the candles should not burn out before darkness falls.
The Chanukiah is usually placed on a windowsill. On Hanukkah days, Jews put the most delicious food on the table and make merry. On the tables there are often doughnuts with fruit or chocolate sprinkled with icing sugar. Also on the table put fried bread with garlic and potato pancakes latkes, which are similar to our draniki.
At the same time during the days of Hanukkah adults continue to go to work and do all the daily chores, but children have a rest this week – they have holidays.
What you must not do on Hanukkah
1. The days of Hanukkah are fasting days, so it is strictly forbidden to fast and observe any restrictions in food.
2. Women are not allowed to do any work while the candles are burning.
3. Use the light of the Hanukkah candles for household purposes, such as working, reading, etc.
4. One must not leave the oil and wicks after the holiday is over. All of these Chanukah paraphernalia must be burned.
Strict diets and fasting are cancelled on Chanukah. Moreover, family feasts are often organised during this period. The most common dishes to celebrate are sufganiyot (doughnuts with pumpkin puree), latkes (potato pancakes) and buttered dishes.