“Unlock the Secrets of Hanukkah: 12 Surprising Facts That Will Change How You Celebrate!”
If you celebrate Hanukkah every year or are just curious about its traditions, there’s always something new to discover. These 12 facts will take you deeper into the Festival of Lights, from its ancient roots to its modern celebrations around the globe.
1. Hanukkah’s Story Isn’t Found in the Torah
Unlike major Jewish holidays, Hanukkah isn’t mentioned in the Torah. That’s because the events it commemorates happened after the Torah was written, during the second century BCE.
The story is recorded in the Books of the Maccabees, part of the Apocrypha. These texts detail the Jewish revolt against Greek-Syrian rulers who had outlawed Jewish practices and desecrated the holy Temple in Jerusalem.
2. The Miracle of the Oil Sparked the Eight-Night Celebration
After reclaiming the Temple, the Maccabees sought to rededicate it by lighting the menorah. However, they found only one small jar of pure olive oil, enough for just one day.
Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, allowing time to prepare more. This event became the foundation for Hanukkah’s eight-night observance and the nightly lighting of candles.
3. The Hanukkiah Differs from the Menorah
While the menorah is a symbol of Judaism with seven branches, the Hanukkiah used during Hanukkah has nine. Eight of these branches represent the nights of Hanukkah, while the ninth, the shamash, is used to light the others.
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