Jewish festival of lights celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, lasting eight days and involving the lighting of a menorah.
From Hebrew 'ḥănukkāh,' meaning 'dedication,' from 'ḥanak' (to dedicate). The festival commemorates a specific historical event in 165 BCE when Judah Maccabee rededicated the Temple.
The Hanukkah menorah symbolizes the miracle of oil: when the Temple was rededicated, only one day's oil remained, but it burned for eight days—which is why Hanukkah lasts eight days and is also called the Festival of Lights!
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