What Is Hanukkah, And How Can I Prioritize Health On This Day?
Each year, Jewish people around the world gather to celebrate Hanukkah, a time for family, friends, and religious members to come together to reaffirm the ideals of Judaism and commemorate the rededication of their sacred temple to God after liberating it from opposition forces. The word Hanukkah literally translates as “dedication,” and Jewish people show their appreciation and gratitude for Judaism through a variety of festivities over this period.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah dates back to 164 BCE when Jewish people revolted against the Seleucid monarchy. At the time, the Syrian King banned Jews from worshiping God and wanted them to worship him instead. However, Jewish people fought for their religion. A group known as the Maccabees stood up to the Syrian King and recaptured their homeland, Jerusalem.
However, upon their arrival, they found their sacred temple destroyed. They took it upon themselves to repair the temple from the ground up, rededicating it to God. As a symbol of God's presence in the sacred temple, they lit an oil lamp. There was only enough oil to light the lamp for a single day. However, the lamp remained alight for eight days. This story is known as the miracle of Hanukkah, which is still celebrated today around the world.
When is Hanukkah celebrated?
As a symbol of the eight days the oil lamp remained alight, Hanukkah is an eight-day festival of lights. Hanukkah begins on the 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The Hebrew calendar has 12 months, each consisting of 29 or 30 days, aligning with the moon's cycle. This type of calendar is known as a lunisolar calendar. An extra lunar month is added every few years, keeping the average year length in line with the solar year or calendar.
According to the Gregorian calendar, the system used by most of the world, Hanukkah usually falls between November and December. This year, Hanukkah will begin on Wednesday, December 25th, and end on Thursday, January 2nd.
Embracing Hanukkah celebrations for mental health
Hanukkah is celebrated in various ways, and embracing these traditions can positively impact your mental health, family life, and relationships. Below are some traditional Jewish holiday celebrations during Hanukkah.
Lighting the menorah
On the first night of Hanukkah, Jewish people come together to light the first candle on the menorah after reciting the Shehecheyanu. This ritual commemorates the rededication of the sacred second temple in Jerusalem. The Hanukkah menorah is a traditional Hanukkah lamp, which typically has nine stems (eight candles surrounding one candle in the center) to represent the Jewish miracle of Hanukkah and how God took care of them during a difficult time.
When Jewish people light the menorah candle as an offering to God, it shows appreciation, gratitude, and love. Getting involved in this process benefits the well-being of those who practice the tradition. Research shows that religiousness is associated with higher gratitude, increasing subjective well-being. These religious offerings can be continued throughout the year as frequent opportunities to develop gratitude, appreciation, compassion, and other positive emotions.
Exchanging gifts
Jewish families may exchange gifts and Hanukkah money called gelt. The giving of Hanukkah gelt originated in the 17th century. Families would give their children gelt to give to their local teachers as a sign of appreciation and gratitude for their studies. Over time, families began to give money to the children themselves to encourage Jewish studies.
Gift-giving is a central aspect of many holidays worldwide, including Hanukkah. Both giving and receiving gifts activate responses in the brain that are associated with pleasure and happiness. Studies show that individuals who spend their income on others experience greater happiness than those who spend it on themselves. Altruistic behavior such as gift-giving is an opportunity to enhance your mental and emotional health this holiday season.
Cooking with friends and family
Families often come together to eat food on Hanukkah. Meals often consist of fried food like challah bread, kugel, potato pancakes, and doughnuts. As they cook food in oil together, Jewish people remember the miracle of the oil burning for eight days in the menorah.
When communities come together during a national holiday, it’s a rare opportunity for busy family members, children, and loved ones to participate in activities together. Cooking meals together can be a way to bond over a lighthearted activity. This tradition also allows you to showboat about your cooking expertise during the meal. Children may especially benefit from joining the festivities since cooking allows adolescents to develop life skills and positively contribute to their families.
Playing games
Another fun tradition people often embrace on Hanukkah is games, one of the most popular being Dreidel. Dreidel involves a four-sided spinning top, with each side inscribed with a different Hebrew letter. It’s a game where families and children can engage in lighthearted gambling while learning more about their language and culture.
When the family joins together for games during Hanukkah, they can develop relationships, engage in friendly competition, and have fun. However, doing so can also have positive psychological effects. Family game night is more than an opportunity for children to learn about their culture and language. Research shows that traditional board games can slow cognitive decline and improve the quality of life in elderly populations. Dusting the board games off can have a positive impact on everyone.
Prioritizing mental health during the holidays
Embracing Hanukkah celebrations can be an opportunity to care for your mental health and well-being. However, the holiday season can be busy, and balancing work, family, and personal life can be taxing. Consider taking time for yourself during the holiday season with the following tips:
- Speak with loved ones: Family, friends, and loved ones often come together during the holiday season. There’s a positive relationship between happiness and family functioning, so you can directly care for your health and happiness by spending time together during Hanukkah.
- Maintain healthy habits: Since there’s only a certain amount of time on a given day, it’s normal for holiday festivities to interfere with everyday activities. You can maintain healthy habits while being flexible with holiday plans. For example, you may substitute a 90-minute gym session with a shorter run in nature. This compromise may be more realistic during a busy period and help you maintain your healthy habits.
- Take time for yourself: If you find getting alone time during Hanukkah difficult, try taking a few moments for yourself every day. You could go for a short walk in nature, meditate in your room, read a book, or play sports.
Seeking support
Prioritizing your health and well-being can be an important part of everyday life, helping you get involved in festivities and enjoy time with those around you. Speaking with a mental health professional can be especially beneficial, as can embracing festivities, taking time for yourself, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
Whether you are seeking support for a mental health condition, difficult life circumstances, or general mental health, a therapist or mental health professional can help. Knowledgeable about various approaches, therapists can help you improve your mental health, communication, relationship satisfaction, work productivity, emotional balance, and self-awareness, among other areas of life.
Finding support online
In today's climate, people may find online therapy to be a more accessible alternative to in-person care since it allows them to schedule appointments on a flexible basis and stops them from having to commute to appointments. With the demand for online therapy increasing, a variety of professional services are available. An online platform like BetterHelp may be more cost-effective and convenient during the holidays or year-round, and you can specify if you’re looking for a religious therapist.
Online therapy is effective in treating various mental health conditions, reducing symptoms, and improving the quality of life. Research across multiple age categories showed promising results for the effectiveness of online interventions in treating anxiety and depression. With the advancement in online therapeutic processes, individuals can benefit from the same care and attentiveness they’d receive in person.
Takeaway
Hanukkah is a Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of their second temple in Jerusalem. Today, people worldwide celebrate the occasion, lighting the menorah each evening, exchanging gifts, cooking, and playing games. By getting involved in these festivities during the holiday season, plenty of health benefits can be gained, including forming stronger social connections, developing gratitude, and practicing altruism through gift-giving. You may also try to take time for yourself during a busy season. A therapist, whether online or in your area, can offer you support during the holidays, helping you have some lighthearted moments with friends, family, and loved ones.
Frequently asked questions
What is forbidden during Hanukkah?
On the eight nights of Hanukkah, some Jewish people refrain from certain behaviors. For example, it is generally forbidden to fast or mourn on Hanukkah due to the Jewish history and the fact that Hanukkah commemorates a celebratory time when a great miracle happened and the Jews won in the fight back against their oppressors. In addition, many Jewish people do not work on Hanukkah and take work off for many of the Jewish holidays to celebrate. It is also forbidden in some sects to use the light of the menorah or the sacred oil used for candle lighting for anything other than viewing the menorah.
Is Hanukkah like Christmas?
Hanukkah is not the same as Christmas, as it is not a Christian holiday and has nothing to do with Jesus Christ. The Hanukkah story tells of how the Jewish people were shunned and harmed for their beliefs and how they fought back to win the right to their temple in Jerusalem. The nightly menorah lighting celebrates the eight nights in which the Jewish people had lit an oil lamp and how the lamp with the consecrated oil burned through the eight nights, even though there was only enough oil for one day. Their temple had been taken to celebrate Greek Gods, but with their reclaiming of the area, they were able to celebrate their place in their home once more.
Can you drink alcohol on Hanukkah?
You can drink alcohol on Hanukkah. However, whether you drink is up to you. Some Jewish people choose to remain sober, which is a personal choice. However, alcohol is not generally forbidden by any religious laws. If you’re an observant Jewish person, you can talk to your Rabbi about what’s considered acceptable during a Hanukkah festival or celebration.
Is it okay to say happy Hanukkah?
Saying “Happy Hanukkah” to someone who celebrates is not generally considered offensive. You can also say “Chag sameach,” the Hebrew words for “Happy holidays.” You can wish someone a happy Hanukkah during any of the days, up until the eighth night of the holiday. Hanukkah occurs on different days each year, so check the Jewish calendar to know when Hanukkah starts.
Is Hanukkah a serious holiday?
Hanukkah is a serious holiday to millions of Jewish people around the world. Not everyone celebrates this holiday, but those who do often hold it in high esteem. All holidays have significance to those who celebrate, so respect and understanding can make a positive difference when approaching these topics.
What happens on the eight nights of Hanukkah?
On each night of Hanukkah, Jewish families around the world light Hanukkah candles on the eight branches of the menorah to represent the eight days that the oil lamp of the Jewish peoples burned after retaking their temple in Jerusalem. Some people may light an additional candle. Families celebrate by buying each other gifts with special meaning, eating jelly doughnuts, making potato pancakes, frying food, and watching children play games like Dreidel. Fried foods are traditionally eaten to celebrate the oil of Hanukkah. Another eight candles may be lit in a different room, and some families have more than one menorah.
What do you say on the last day of Hanukkah?
On the last day of Hanukkah, you can wish others happy holidays by saying “chag sameach” or “happy Hanukkah.” You can also say blessings for those you love and rejoice in the holiday spirit. Some Jewish families may say blessings in Hebrew.
Should Christians be celebrating Hanukkah?
Christians don’t normally celebrate Hanukkah because this holiday celebrates Jewish history. However, it isn’t forbidden for Christians to celebrate, and some people may find joy in doing so, as Jesus was said to have observed this holiday when he lived in Jerusalem. Hanukkah can also be a reminder of the miracles of God and a way to connect with one’s faith. However, if you choose to celebrate, do research on the significance of the holiday and how to properly observe.
Can you get married during Hanukkah?
Jewish weddings can be scheduled during Hanukkah, and some might choose this holiday to celebrate because of the joy of the season. If you plan to have a wedding during this time, you can decorate the location with lights, Hebrew symbolism, and other celebratory decorations. The newlyweds may also consider lighting one of the candles of the menorah at their wedding as a way to symbolize unity and connection to faith.
Does Hanukkah have dinner?
People often make special foods on Hanukkah, such as fried potatoes and doughnuts. A special bread called challah is also made to pull apart and eat with meals, and many people drink festive drinks. Each night may involve a different meal, and Jewish families often celebrate by visiting each other’s homes and offering blessings to extended family members and friends, as well.
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