Hanukkah

Hanukkah History

Hanukkah, also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival commemorating the menorah's miracle and the victory of the Maccabees over the Hellenistic forces of the Seleucid Empire. The observance is characterized by lighting a menorah, reciting blessings and prayers, singing songs, playing the traditional game of dreidel, and enjoying fried foods like latkes and sufganiyot. The celebration focuses on the spiritual aspects of the miracle and the restoration of the Jewish faith and national identity.

The origins of Hanukkah date back to the second century BCE, when the Second Temple of Jerusalem was looted and defiled by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV, who outlawed Judaism and sought to impose Greek culture on the Jews. The Jewish Maccabees led a revolt against the oppressors and eventually regained the temple. When attempting to rededicate it, they found only enough oil to light the menorah for one day, but miraculously, it lasted eight days. In Germany, Hanukkah gained more importance after the Holocaust as a symbol of the Jewish people's survival, resilience, and spiritual strength. Moreover, the emphasis on sharing light and hope resonates with German society's commitment to remembrance, reconciliation, and tolerance.

In today's Germany, Hanukkah is celebrated by Jewish communities and families across the country. In public spaces, menorah-lighting ceremonies often take place, such as the annual lighting of a large menorah at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. These ceremonies frequently involve prominent figures, including rabbis, politicians, and representatives of different faiths, emphasizing the shared values of peace, freedom, and understanding. Hanukkah usually occurs in December, in the Hebrew month of Kislev, with the exact dates determined by the calendar.

Hanukkah facts

• It is customary to eat fried foods on Chanukkah because of the significance of oil to the holiday. Among Ashkenazic Jews, this usually includes latkes (potato pancakes fried in oil) and doughnuts.
• A popular game during Hanukkah is dreidel. The dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with one Hebrew letter inscribed on each face/side. These letters are Nun (like N), Gimel (like G), Hei (Like H) and Shin (like Sh). These letters stand for the Hebrew phrase Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, a great miracle happened there, referring to the miracle of the oil.
• In 1993, a large Hanukkah menorah was lit publicly in Berlin for the first time since WWII. This event marked a significant moment for the Jewish community as they reclaimed and proudly displayed their religious identity in Germany.
• The Holocaust had a severe impact on Germany's Jewish population, with an estimated 160,000 German Jews perishing during this dark period. Hanukkah gained increased importance for the remaining Jewish community as a symbol of hope and resistance in the face of adversity.

In the News and Trending in Germany for Hanukkah

Top things to do in Germany for Hanukkah

• Play a dreidel game, which consists of spinning a special four-sided block with Hebrew letters. Once you're out of game pieces, you can either get a loan or you're out until one person collects all of the game pieces.
• Make latkes and donuts at home. Many recipes can be found online.
• Hanukkah emphasizes the importance of spreading light and doing good deeds. Engage in volunteering opportunities or perform acts of kindness to help those in need within your community.
• Exchange gifts with your family and friends, particularly children. It is a customary practice to give and receive small presents each night of Hanukkah. You can find traditional and meaningful gifts, like dreidels, gelt (chocolate coins), or Hanukkah-themed items in local Jewish shops or online.