Definition

1. Proper noun:
   • Hanukkah: An eight-day Jewish festival, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BCE after the Maccabean Revolt. It is observed by lighting the candles of a menorah (hanukkiah) over eight nights.

Usage

• Proper noun:
  • Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar.
  • Our family gathers to light the menorah each night of Hanukkah.

Advanced Usage

• "to celebrate Hanukkah": to observe the festival with its traditional rituals.

  • They celebrate Hanukkah by lighting candles, playing dreidel, and eating foods cooked in oil.

• "Hanukkah gelt": money, often chocolate coins, given as a gift during Hanukkah.

  • The children received Hanukkah gelt from their grandparents.

Variants and Related Words

• Chanukah (proper noun): An alternate transliteration of the Hebrew word for the festival.

  • "Chanukah" is another common spelling for the holiday.

• Festival of Lights (noun phrase): A descriptive name for Hanukkah, referring to the candle-lighting ritual.

  • Hanukkah is often called the Festival of Lights.

• Menorah/Hanukkiah (noun): The nine-branched candelabrum used during Hanukkah.

  • The shamash candle on the menorah is used to light the others.

Synonyms

• Feast of Dedication: A less common synonym referencing the temple rededication.
• Feast of Lights: Another name emphasizing the candle-lighting aspect.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• "Nes gadol hayah sham" (phrase): A Hebrew phrase meaning "a great miracle happened there," referring to the miracle of the oil and often found on dreidels.

  • The dreidel is spun during Hanukkah games; it bears the letters representing "Nes Gadol Hayah Sham."

• "to light the Hanukkah candles": the central ritual of the holiday.

  • The blessing is recited before we light the Hanukkah candles.

Noun

1. (Judaism) an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC