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100
Antiochus
The Seleucid ruler who insisted that the Jews behave more like Greeks.
100
dreidel
This spinning top forms the basis of a game made to commemorate Hanukkah.
100
latkes
The Yiddish name for potato pancakes.
100
חנוכיה
The Hebrew name for a Hanukkah candlebra.
100
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.
200
Hellenism
This word refers to the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean and the Ancient Near East.
200
שעשה נסים
This blessing, recited during candle-lighting, praises God for performing miracles for the Jewish people.
200
לביבות
The Hebrew name for potato pancakes.
200
The Hebrew name for a dreidel.
סביבון
200
מודיעין, Modiin
The Maccabee revolt began in this town.
300
Sukkot
The Maccabees celebrated this 8-day holiday, normally celebrated in the fall, after liberating the Holy Temple.
300
על הנסים
This prayer, inserted into the amidah and birkat hamazon during Hanukkah, is also recited during Purim.
300
gelt
Jewish children may often play dreidel with these chocolate coins.
300
נס גדול היה פה
This Hebrew verse adorns driedels in Israel.
300
5
There were this many sons within the Maccabee family.
400
Epiphanes
This Greek name, given to Antiochus by the Jews, means "madman."
400
Hallel
During the days of Hanukkah, we typically recite this prayer of praise, usually reserved for the three pilgrimage festivals and Rosh Chodesh.
400
סופגניה
Israel has made this fried doughnut popular on Hanukkah.
400
שמן
The original menorah was lit using this substance (in Hebrew).
400
Talmud (Shabbat)
This Jewish text popularized the idea that Hanukkah commemorates oil miraculously burning for eight days.
500
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.
500
Hillel
This rabbi insisted that we light our menorahs with an additional candle each night, instead of starting with 8 and counting down.
500
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.
500
Dedication/Consecration
Hanukkah comes from the three letter root חנך, which means this.
500
1 and 2 Maccabees
These Jewish texts, not included in the תנ"ך, recount the history of Hanukkah.






Hanukkah

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