Understanding the historical origins of Hanukah's traditions

Hanukah, the annual "Festival of Lights” is often thought of as the Jewish equivalent of Christmas because the two are celebrated around the same time. However, that's not necessarily accurate. Hanukah might seem similar, but it is a unique holiday with its own history and traditions, and quirks - especially when celebrated in Israel! 

The history of Hanukah stretches back to ancient times. In 168 BC, the Greek king of Syria, Antiochus, outlawed the open practice of the Jewish religion as part of his conquest of the area. All Jewish religious text was seized, their rituals were forbidden, and those caught openly preaching the Jewish faith were persecuted, imprisoned, and worse. Jewish families were forced to worship (or at least outwardly pay lip service to) the Greek pantheon, with the final insult being the construction of an altar to Zeus in the Second Temple.

This didn't sit well with the devote Jews of the area. Many continued, at great risk, to continue studying and teaching the Torah in private. They refused to be subjugated and eventually organized a revolution to expel the Greeks, win back their temple, and reclaim the right to worship as they choose to. It wasn't easy, and it came at a great cost, but the Jewish people succeeded.

When they returned to their freshly liberated temple, it was in tatters. A wreck of a building, decimated in the conflict. Things were so bad that when they wanted to light the menorah as a symbol of their return, they could only find one measly, tiny flask of oil for it. Enough to maybe keep the menorah lit for a single day at most. However, something strange happened. That small dribble of oil not only burned for the first day, but then a second, and a third, all the way for eight whole days – a sign from God.

It was a miracle, and the Jewish people still celebrate it to this day. This is origin of the modern practice of lighting a menorah and celebrating for eight days and is the most obvious historical tradition of the celebration. But did you know there are more?

 

 

Take the dreidel. This simple toy, basically a combination of a spinning top and a dice, is a staple of the holiday, so much so that even non-Jews are likely familiar with it. It's easy to assume that it is just one of those random traditions holidays pick up, similar to the Christmas association with gingerbread men or candy canes. However, the dreidels origins are also closely related to the historical circumstances of the holiday.

During the time of Antiochus' suppression of the Jewish faith, the dreidel served an important purpose – cover. Jews studying the Torah would keep the dreidel and some coins near while reading and discussing the sacred texts. Should any soldiers or nosy busybodies happen to come across them, they could always claim there were simply playing a game, wasting a few coins and hanging out, nothing suspicious or illegal. 

This is also the historical origin of the tradition of  giving chocolate "gelt” coins to children during the holiday. Children are encouraged to not only enjoy the treat, but to use them as currency when playing with their dreidels (a low-risk way of celebrating the past). 

Of course, not all gelt is chocolate. Gelt as a monetary gift has a more complicated history. In Europe a tradition arose, with the encouragement and approval of rabbis, for well-off families to provide money gifts to less well-off families so they could enjoy the holiday as well. This practice slowly changed over the years (as holiday traditions often do) to be directed mainly at a family's own children. Even now, Jewish children typically receive a little extra spending money during Hanukah, partly as a carry over of that old tradition, and partly as a response to Christmas (so Jewish children don't feel completely left out when they see their friends receiving gifts).

Hanukah is also a time for holiday treats. In Israel, the number one holiday food for families enjoying the season is none other than donuts. Lavish, delicious, donuts. Why? Well, it all goes back to the original Hanukah miracle of the menorah and the oil that wouldn't run out. Bakeries celebrate the season by concentrating on treats fried in oil as a nod to the miracle and over time donuts just sort of became the go-to food for the holiday. Of course, if you're not a big sweet tooth, latkes are also a popular Hanukah staple. 

If you happen to be visiting Israel during the Hanukah season, be on the look out for events and festivals. While the holiday is more popular with children and often geared towards them, there are still plenty of ways for adults to partake in the fun. Shows, plays, and performances are common during the time the kids have off and who wouldn't want to say they got to see an authentic Hanukah celebration in Israel!