Feast of Hanukkah: Eight Candles and a Servant | culture | DW

Hanukkah is sometimes referred to as the Jewish Christmas, but that is misleading. The festival has nothing to do with Jesus’ birth, but commemorates the liberation from Greek rule, the second consecration of the temple and the subsequent miracle of light. Translated, Hanukkah means “re-inauguration”.

Under the rule of the Greeks, the Jews were not allowed to practice their religion for two centuries – until they were banished in 164 BC. BC recaptured Jerusalem. A jar of oil was found in the temple to light the candlestick. But the oil was only enough for one night. In the end it still burned for eight days – a miracle. To commemorate this, Hanukkah lasts eight days. On each of these days, a candle is lit after dark.

The candlestick, the so-called Hanukkiah, has eight or nine arms accordingly. The ninth holder is for the “servant” (in Hebrew: shamash): a candle used to light the other eight candles after the blessing (brachot).

The date of the Jewish festival of lights depends on the moon. The Festival of Lights always starts on the 25th day of the month of Kislev, the ninth month in the Jewish calendar, which is why the date changes in the Gregorian calendar. In 2022, the Jewish Hanukkah festival begins on the evening of December 18 and ends on December 26, i.e. on the Christian day after Christmas.

Traditionally, no gifts were provided for the Festival of Lights. However, Hanukkah has also become more commercial over the years, making it common to give gifts, especially to children. Dishes baked in oil such as donuts (sufganiyot) and potato pancakes (latkes) are the main dishes on the table.

This article was updated on 12/18/2022.