5 Questions
How is the Hebrew word for Hanukkah spelled?
חנך
What is the origin of the word "Hanukkah"?
The word Hanukkah is derived from the Hebrew verb חנך, meaning "to dedicate".
What is the preferred spelling of Hanukkah according to authoritative sources?
The spelling Hanukkah is the most common and preferred choice of Merriam-Webster, Collins English Dictionary, the Oxford Style Manual, and the style guides of The New York Times and The Guardian.
What is the homiletical explanation for the name of Hanukkah?
The holiday has many homiletical explanations, one of which is that the name refers to the fact that the Jews ceased fighting on the 25th day of Kislev, the day on which the holiday begins.
What is the origin of the customs of lighting a menorah and eating latkes during Hanukkah?
The custom of lighting a menorah and eating latkes on Hanukkah originated in the Second Temple era.
Study Notes
- The Hebrew word for Hanukkah is חנך.
- Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks.
- The holiday is celebrated by lighting a menorah, eating latkes, and playing dreidel.
- The word Hanukkah is derived from the Hebrew verb חנך, meaning "to dedicate".
- The holiday has many homiletical explanations, one of which is that the name refers to the fact that the Jews ceased fighting on the 25th day of Kislev, the day on which the holiday begins.
- The spelling Hanukkah is the most common and preferred choice of Merriam-Webster, Collins English Dictionary, the Oxford Style Manual, and the style guides of The New York Times and The Guardian.
- The sound represented by Ch ([χ], similar to the Scottish pronunciation of loch) is not native to the English language and Hanukkah more accurately represents the spelling in the Hebrew alphabet.
- The custom of lighting a menorah and eating latkes on Hanukkah originated in the Second Temple era.
- The date of Hanukkah is December 25th.
Test your knowledge about the history, customs, and etymology of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah.
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