Hanukkah

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century BCE.

History

Hanukkah is based on the historical events that took place in the 2nd century BCE, when the Jewish people rebelled against the Greek-Syrian rulers and were able to reclaim and rededicate the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Celebration

The main tradition of Hanukkah is the lighting of the menorah, a nine-branched candelabrum. One candle is lit on each night of the holiday until all eight candles, plus the central shamash (helper) candle, are lit on the final night.

Traditions

Other traditions associated with Hanukkah include playing dreidel, a gambling game with a spinning top, and eating foods cooked in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts).

Study Guide

Here are some key points to remember about Hanukkah:

• Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday.
• It commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
• The main tradition is the lighting of the menorah.
• Other traditions include playing dreidel and eating foods cooked in oil.

[Hanukkah] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• ColorsMathematics • Kindergarten
• World HolidaysSocial Studies • Third Grade
• Observance of HolidaysSocial Studies • First Grade