Chanukah etymology

Etymology

The word "Chanukah" is derived from the Hebrew word "chanukkah," which means "dedication."

Meaning

Chanukah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE after its desecration by the Seleucid Greeks.

Origin

The origin of Chanukah lies in the events of the Maccabean Revolt. In 167 BCE, the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes outlawed the practice of Judaism and defiled the Temple in Jerusalem.

A group of Jewish rebels led by Judas Maccabeus successfully revolted against the Seleucids and recaptured the Temple. They then rededicated the Temple and instituted an eight-day festival to commemorate their victory.

The festival was originally known as the "Festival of Dedication" but was later given the name "Chanukah" to reflect its significance in Jewish tradition.

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