Jews celebrate Hanukkah because an evil king named antiochus overran the Jewish Temple and we thought that we would only have enough oil for one night but it turned out that instead of one day the oil lasted for the eight days.
Answer: Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday that commemorates the victory of the Jews against the Syrian-Greeks in the Maccabean War of 165 BCE.
The real miracle of Hanukkah is that the Jews were victorious, against all odds, they beat their enemy and were able to restore the Ancient Temple in Jerusalem, which had been desecrated by the Greeks. In a larger context, Hanukkah represents victory against religious persecution and assimilation.
But a second miracle is more commonly known: A story in the Talmud (300 years later) tells of a legendary miracle. After the war, When the Jews returned to rededicate the Ancient Temple, they found that there was only enough oil to keep the eternal lamp burning for 1 day. It would take 8 days to make more of this special oil. So the lit the lamp, and it miraculously burned for 8 days, giving them plenty of time to make more oil to keep the lamp burning.
This second miracle is very popular with children. It is understood as a legend only, and appears to be the early Rabbis' attempt to add a spiritual level to the holiday.
The above answer is non-traditional. Our tradition is that the miracle of the oil did indeed occur and isn't just a legend. If it wasn't for the clear tradition of our Sages, Hanukkah would have been forgotten long ago.
Hanukkah is celebrated in the home, by Jews around the world.
Hanukkah is celebrated in the home.
Hanukkah (channukkah) is the name of the festival.
The 8-day festival of Hanukkah is celebrated in the homes of Jewish people. Sometimes synagogues and Jewish schools also have Hanukkah parties.
Hanukkah was first celebrated in 164 BCE, starting on the 25th of Kislev of that year.See dates of Hanukkah for the next couple of decades on this linked page.See also:More about Hanukkah
Hanukkah is the holiday. It's celebrated by Jewish people.
Yes
It is part of the Jewish religion (celebrated by Jews)
Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews wherever they live.
there are eight. the evening entering into the eighth day is the last celebrated night of hanukkah, while the evening at the end of the eighth day is not part of hanukkah.
In the Jewish communities
Hanukkah is celebrated by Jews in every U.S. state, including Hawaii.