Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also called the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration of the "miracle of the oil." It is a Jewish celebration which celebrates the victory of Maccabee over King Antiochus.
A candle is lit on the menorah each night of Hanukkah. Families exchange gifts, sing songs, recite prayers and play games as a way to convey warmth, comfort, and a miracle. Latkes (potato pancakes) are a traditional dish eaten during celebrations.
The date for this festival changes according to the lunar calendar, but it always begins in November or December because Hanukkah is always on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar.
History of Hanukkah
The events forming the Hanukkah observance occurred during an inclement time period of Jewish history.
In 200 B.C., the Seleucid king of Syria, named Antiochus III, took ownership of the land of Israel. Antiochus III allowed the Jews living in the land to continue to worship, honor, and practice their religion.
However, his son, Antiochus IV Epiphanes, prohibited the Jewish religion and demanded the Jews to worship Greek Gods and accept Greek culture instead.
Throughout 168 B.C.-166 B.C., soldiers invaded the land and massacred thousands of Jews and destroyed the city’s holy Second Temple, which was a sacred Jewish place of worship in Jerusalem.
Despite the resistance and tough battle, Judah Maccabee, the son of a priest, along with a small troupe of Jews, used guerilla warfare tactics to drive the Syrian Greeks from the land successfully.
Judah called on his followers to reclaim the holy Second Temple and rededicate it to God’s service. Its altar was rebuilt, and its menorah was lighted, which was an old candelabrum whose seven branches that symbolized knowledge and creation were meant to be kept burning every night.
According to the Talmud, one of Judaism’s books of ancient teachings, Judah Maccabee and his followers believed what they witnessed during the rededication of the Second Temple to be a miracle. While there was only enough untainted olive oil to keep the candles burning for one day, the flames stayed lit for eight full days until new oil could be prepared with ritual purity.
This surprising circumstance roused Jews to start an annual eight-day festival known as Hanukkah. (There is another interpretation of this narrative mentioned in the First Book of Maccabees where the eight-day celebration that followed the rededication did take place, but the miracle of the oil was not mentioned).
How is Hanukkah celebrated?
Hanukkah is celebrated at sunset through candle lighting on a nine-branch menorah every night for eight days. The ninth candle, called the shamash (“helper”), is in the center of the menorah and is used to light the other candles. Most observers will share blessings while the menorah is lit and sing traditional Hanukkah songs. The menorah is typically showcased in a window as a reminder to others of the miracle that started this observance.
It is a tradition during Hanukkah to eat fried foods to symbolize the miracle oil that burned for eight straight days. Latkes (potato pancakes) are a staple in many Jewish households, as well as sufganiyot (fried jelly doughnuts). Hanukkah has also evolved into a gift-giving holiday for some. Other traditions include children receiving a small gift on each of the festival’s eight days and chocolate coins as a treat.
Giving gelt (money, in Yiddish) is also a tradition for children to receive and then give to charity. A traditional Hanukkah game is often played, known as Dreidel. A dreidel is a four-sided spinning top with Hebrew letters on each side that form an acronym for “a great miracle happened here.”
Facts about Hanukkah
Hanukkah used to be a tradition for people to only give money to one another. As Christmas became more popular, more and more Jewish people began giving gifts instead.
A menorah is lit each night of the holiday. A menorah is a candelabra with nine candles: four candles on each side and one in the center to light all the others. The center candle, known as the shamash, sits higher than the other candles.
You may have seen holidays spelled like Hanukkah, Hannuka, or Chanukah, etc. The most common version is Hanukkah, but many other spellings you see of it are also accepted. Since there is no proper way to translate the Hebrew sounds to English directly, they could be spelled in various ways, each equally accurate.
The Hebrew word Hanukkah means “dedication.”
Ways to Celebrate Hanukkah in the Workplace
Allow for Paid Time Off: Accommodate requests off for Hanukkah. An employer should present options to any employee who celebrates the holiday to take time off without losing wages or having to use their vacation time. Paid time off allows your employees to enjoy this festival with their loved ones without having to stress.
Don’t Make Assumptions: People feel different emotions during the holidays, and not everybody who celebrates Hanukkah will do so similarly. There may be some employees who will take time off or want to have open conversations about the observance with their colleagues, while others may prefer to stay quiet or may not wish to participate in the festivities.
Provide Resources: Honoring the Festival of Hanukkah in the workplace is an important way to show appreciation, but festivities that ignore the history and philosophy behind Holi risk becoming appropriate. Send out an email or provide accessible resources in the office that include information about Hanukkah so everyone can learn more about the significance of this holiday.
Potluck Lunch: Whether your workplace is big or small, organizing a potluck lunch commemorating Hanukkah is a great way to celebrate this holiday with colleagues. This can be done by making a list of traditional foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, that staff can bring in, and coordinating with employees to ensure there is diversity in the dishes. The planning that goes into potlucks encourages employees to both collaborate and interact with each other, which will increase their engagement and job satisfaction.
Intentional Planning: Avoid booking team meetings and scheduling events during Hanukkah.
Get Educated: Ensure staff are aware of Hanukkah and how they can be supportive. This can be done through guest speakers, lunch and learns, talking to self-identified Jewish colleagues, or simply doing research online.
Conclusion
Hanukkah is a time for family and friends to come together to laugh, dance, feast, and pay homage. Recognizing those who celebrate Hanukkah in your company is a way to promote a sense of belonging among colleagues.
When celebrating Hanukkah in the workplace, it is important to respect all Jewish employees. Taking the time to learn about the significance of this holiday is a great way to build inclusion within the company.