History | Traditions | Foods | Language | More History |
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Antiochus
The Seleucid ruler who insisted that the Jews behave more like Greeks.
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dreidel
This spinning top forms the basis of a game made to commemorate Hanukkah.
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latkes
The Yiddish name for potato pancakes.
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חנוכיה
The Hebrew name for a Hanukkah candlebra.
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מתתיהו, Mattathias
This figure, though not typically referred to as a Maccabee, was the father of the Maccabees, and is credited with starting the war against Greece.
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Hellenism
This word refers to the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean and the Ancient Near East.
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שעשה נסים
This blessing, recited during candle-lighting, praises God for performing miracles for the Jewish people.
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לביבות
The Hebrew name for potato pancakes.
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The Hebrew name for a dreidel.
סביבון
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מודיעין, Modiin
The Maccabee revolt began in this town.
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Sukkot
The Maccabees celebrated this 8-day holiday, normally celebrated in the fall, after liberating the Holy Temple.
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על הנסים
This prayer, inserted into the amidah and birkat hamazon during Hanukkah, is also recited during Purim.
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gelt
Jewish children may often play dreidel with these chocolate coins.
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נס גדול היה פה
This Hebrew verse adorns driedels in Israel.
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5
There were this many sons within the Maccabee family.
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Epiphanes
This Greek name, given to Antiochus by the Jews, means "madman."
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Hallel
During the days of Hanukkah, we typically recite this prayer of praise, usually reserved for the three pilgrimage festivals and Rosh Chodesh.
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סופגניה
Israel has made this fried doughnut popular on Hanukkah.
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שמן
The original menorah was lit using this substance (in Hebrew).
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Talmud (Shabbat)
This Jewish text popularized the idea that Hanukkah commemorates oil miraculously burning for eight days.
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Ptolemy
When the Greek Empire split into different groups, the Syrian faction, led by Seleucus, feuded with the faction based in Egypt, led by this ruler.
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Hillel
This rabbi insisted that we light our menorahs with an additional candle each night, instead of starting with 8 and counting down.
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Dairy
These types of foods, also popular during Shavuot, became popular for Hanukkah during the Middle Ages due to their relationship to the Book of Judith.
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Dedication/Consecration
Hanukkah comes from the three letter root חנך, which means this.
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1 and 2 Maccabees
These Jewish texts, not included in the תנ"ך, recount the history of Hanukkah.
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