Hanukkah

Hanukkah History

Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה), also known as Chanukah, is an eight-day Jewish festival that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem following the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. The festival is observed by lighting the menorah, a unique nine-branched candelabrum, with one additional candle lit each night. Other significant aspects of Hanukkah include the recitation of prayers and blessings, singing traditional songs, and indulging in foods fried in oil, such as latkes and sufganiyot, to remember the miracle of the oil that lasted eight days when there was only enough for one.

The origin of Hanukkah can be traced back to 164 BCE, when the Maccabees, led by Judah Maccabee, defeated the Seleucid king Antiochus IV and liberated the temple in Jerusalem. In America, Hanukkah holds special significance due to its proximity to the holiday season. It provides an opportunity for Jewish families to come together and celebrate their heritage during a time when many other cultural and religious festivities take place. Additionally, it serves as an important reminder of the story of the Jewish people's resilience and the power of light over darkness.

In the United States, Hanukkah is observed similarly to other parts of the world with some unique American twists. Families gather to light the menorah, exchange gifts, and participate in community events. Dreidel, a spinning top game, is played by both children and adults as a fun and educational activity to understand the historical events behind the festival. The specific dates for Hanukkah vary each year, as it is determined by the Hebrew lunar calendar, but it generally falls between late November and late December.

Hanukkah (Begins) 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.
• The first openly practicing Jews in Mexico arrived in the late 19th and early 20th century, primarily Ashkenazi immigrants from Eastern Europe and Sephardic immigrants from Turkey and Greece. These diverse Jewish communities brought their unique Hanukkah traditions, including the use of Sephardic-style menorahs (known as hanukias) and Ashkenazi-style dreidels (known as trompos) to Mexico.
• One popular Mexican Hanukkah dish is known as "buñuelos de Hanukkah," which are deep-fried dough balls similar to the traditional Jewish doughnut, called sufganiyot. Buñuelos can be served with sugar, honey, or cinnamon and are often accompanied by chocolate caliente (Mexican hot chocolate).

In the News and Trending in Mexico for Hanukkah

Top things to do in Mexico 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.
• Use this time to delve into the history of Jews in Mexico. Study the contributions of Jewish individuals to Mexican society, such as artists, writers, scientists, or entrepreneurs.
• Combine traditional Jewish foods with Mexican flavors to create a unique Hanukkah menu. For example, you can make potato latkes with a Mexican twist by adding ingredients like jalapeños or Mexican spices.