chanukah

listen to the pronunciation of chanukah
English - English
alternative spelling of Hanukkah
Chanukah is the same as Hanukkah. Hanukkah
{i} Hanukkah, Jewish festival which lasts for eight days and commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over Antiochus Epiphanes and the rededication of the Temple, Festival of lights
A eight-day holiday, starting on the 25th of Kislev, commemorating the rededication of the Temple; see Ch 48
(Judaism) an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem in 165 BC
Feast of Dedication Installed during the time of the Maccabees Eight day Festival of Lights This Jewish holiday represents the successful Macabean revolt against Antiochus IV in 164 B C E (25th day of Chislev) The candles of the Chanukiah (Menorah) are lit each night, beginning with one candle the first night, adding an additional candle each subsequent night until there are 8 candles representing the eight days of Chanukah plus the shamas candle (tallest candle used to light the others) Chanukah gelt (money) is often given to children during Chanukah and the game of dreidle (spinning top) is played Chanukah is not a "religious" holiday (as is Rosh Hashonah or Yom Kippur) and is actually a minor holiday on the Jewish calendar It is only its juxtaposition to Christmas that has (very recently) elevated its importance
Literally, "dedication" in Hebrew The winter holiday commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after a group of Jewish warriors called the Hasmoneans defeated the Syrians who had defiled the temple and attempted to force the Jews to assimilate Also spelled Hanukkah (and in a number of other ways), as which see what Merriam Webster has to say about it