Live the unimaginable through the glow of an ancient celebration
There’s something profoundly moving about watching flames dance in the darkness. In the heart of winter, when daylight becomes precious and shadows stretch long across our days, the Jewish community around the world gathers around a simple yet powerful symbol: the menorah.
For eight nights, candles are lit one by one, transforming homes into beacons of warmth and hope.
This is Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, and its story speaks to something universal in all of us.
A Story of Resilience That Echoes Through Time
Picture Jerusalem in 165 BCE.
The Second Temple, the sacred heart of Jewish worship, had been desecrated by occupying forces determined to erase Jewish identity and practice.
A small band of rebels, led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, refused to surrender their faith. Against overwhelming odds, they reclaimed their Temple and set about rededicating it to their traditions.
When they went to relight the Temple’s eternal flame, the ner tamid, they discovered only a single day’s worth of consecrated oil. Yet miraculously, that tiny cruse burned for eight full days, long enough to prepare more sacred oil. The light refused to be extinguished.
It’s a story that resonates far beyond its historical moment.
How many times in our own lives do we feel we’re running on empty, only to discover an unexpected reserve of strength?
The Hanukkah story reminds us that even the smallest light can push back the darkness, that dedication and faith can triumph over circumstances that seem impossible.
More Than Just the “Jewish Christmas”
For our American and Christian friends, Hanukkah often appears on the holiday calendar around Christmas time, and it’s sometimes mistaken for a “Jewish equivalent.”
But Hanukkah occupies its own unique space in Jewish tradition. While Christmas commemorates a birth that changed the world, Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom—the right to worship, to maintain one’s identity, and to pass traditions from one generation to the next.
In fact, Hanukkah is considered a “minor” holiday in the Jewish calendar, less significant religiously than Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur.
Yet it has become one of the most beloved and widely observed Jewish holidays, particularly in the Western world, precisely because its message of perseverance and light overcoming darkness speaks to our shared human experience.
The Beauty of the Ritual
Each night of Hanukkah, families gather as the sun sets. The menorah, called a hanukkiah for this holiday, holds nine candles: eight for each night, plus the shamash (helper candle) used to light the others.
Starting with one candle on the first night, another is added each evening until all eight blaze together on the final night.
There’s a meditative quality to the ritual. Blessings are sung in Hebrew, often with everyone joining in, voices rising in the gathering dusk. The candles burn in windows, visible to passersby, a public declaration of faith and identity.
In Jewish tradition, this act of placing the menorah where others can see it fulfills the commandment of pirsumei nisa, publicizing the miracle.
Traditions That Delight the Senses
What makes Hanukkah special isn’t just its history but how it’s celebrated with all the senses engaged.
- The aroma of frying latkes fills homes, crispy potato pancakes sizzling in oil, served with applesauce or sour cream. In Israeli households, sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts) appear in bakeries weeks before the holiday, their sugary tops calling out to anyone with a sweet tooth. These fried foods honor the miracle of the oil, turning a historical moment into something delicious and shareable.
- The spin of the dreidel brings playful competition. This four-sided top, marked with Hebrew letters that stand for “A great miracle happened there,” becomes the centerpiece of games played for chocolate coins (gelt) or other small treats. It’s a simple toy with deep meaning—tradition holds that during times of persecution, Jews would study Torah in secret, keeping a dreidel nearby to feign innocent play if authorities arrived.
- The giving of gifts, particularly in American Jewish families, has grown more prominent over recent decades. While not historically central to Hanukkah, this tradition reflects families’ desire to create joy and ensure children don’t feel left out during the broader holiday season. It’s an adaptation that speaks to the living, breathing nature of cultural traditions.
Why This Matters to All of Us
You don’t have to be Jewish to appreciate what Hanukkah represents. In our increasingly interconnected world, understanding different traditions enriches our own perspective. Hanukkah asks profound questions:
- What are you willing to stand up for?
- How do you maintain your identity in the face of pressure to conform?
- Where do you find light when darkness threatens to overwhelm?
For Christians, there’s a beautiful parallel to explore. Jesus himself celebrated Hanukkah, the Gospel of John references him in Jerusalem during “the Feast of Dedication” (John 10:22-23), the Hebrew term for which is Hanukkah.
The festival he observed was the same one Jewish families celebrate today, creating a direct connection across millennia.
The themes of light conquering darkness, of small acts of faith leading to miracles, and of standing firm in one’s beliefs resonate across religious boundaries. They speak to our shared humanity and our common hopes.
Experiencing Hanukkah with Respect and Curiosity
If you’re interested in experiencing Hanukkah more deeply, many Jewish communities welcome those who approach with genuine curiosity and respect. Synagogues often hold public menorah lightings, sometimes accompanied by music and celebration.
Museums and cultural centers offer Hanukkah programming that explores the holiday’s historical and contemporary significance.
Some simply seek to understand their neighbors’ practices better, recognizing that cultural literacy builds stronger communities.
The key is approaching with openness. Ask questions. Listen to stories. If a Jewish friend invites you to their Hanukkah celebration, accept with enthusiasm.
Try a latke. Join in singing the blessings, even if you stumble over the Hebrew words. Light matters.
The Timeless Message
As we watch those candles burn night after night, there’s something hypnotic about their steady glow. In an age of electric lights and digital screens, there’s a primal power to living flame. It demands our attention. It asks us to pause, to gather, to remember.
Hanukkah reminds us that one small light can illuminate great darkness.
That dedication, the very meaning of the word “Hanukkah”, carries weight. Miracles, whether we interpret them literally or metaphorically, happen when we refuse to give up.
This December, as Hanukkah menorahs glow in windows alongside Christmas lights, take a moment to appreciate both celebrations. Each tells a story worth knowing. Each invites us to bring more light into the world.
Because at the end of the day, isn’t that what we’re all trying to do? In whatever way we practice our faith, observe our traditions, or simply try to be good humans, we’re all seeking to push back the darkness with whatever light we can muster.
And that, perhaps, is the most unimaginable miracle of all: that after thousands of years, in living rooms and synagogues around the world, those candles still burn. The light still shines. And the story continues to inspire.
Hanukkah 2026 begins at sundown on December 4th and concludes at sundown on December 12th. However you celebrate this season, may it be filled with light, warmth, and the courage to live fully into who you are.
Chag Sameach. Happy Holiday!