What is Hanukkah?

Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish festival commemorating a historical event from the 2nd century BC. Its leaders, called Maccabees at that time, rebelled against the prohibitions imposed on them and against the obligation to Hellenise their customs. The celebration lasts for eight days, starting on 25th day of the month of kislev in the Jewish calendar, which usually falls around the second half of December – this year it falls on the twenty-fifth of the month.

The festival of Hanukkah also commemorates the recovery of the Temple of Jerusalem and the miracle that took place when, faced with a lack of fuel to power the temple lamps, the Maccabees providentially found a jar of pure olive oil, thanks to which they were able to continue presenting their offerings.  It explains the Jewish tradition found in the Talmud about how, when they went back into the temple, the Maccabees found the sacred grounds desecrated and the menorah no longer burning. Aiming to re-kindle it, they realised there was only enough oil to keep the flame alive for one day. It took eight of them to get more oil, but even so, the flame continued to burn for those eight days without interruption. It is the miracle represented by the lamps not going out, despite the lack of oil, that Hanukkah commemorates.

Jewish tradition directly relates the purity of monotheistic worship to the purity of this olive oil, which, with a small amount, miraculously allowed the candelabrum to stay lit for eight consecutive days. The symbolism of olive oil is manifested in many other passages in the history of Judaism, especially those related to the olive tree and its use in anointing and confirmation. That is why during Hanukkah, eight small oil lamps are progressively lit from a nine-branched candelabrum, which takes the name hanukkiyyah for the occasion. The candelabrum has eight branches all of the same height and a ninth that is used for keeping the flame lit and lighting the other branches’ candles, which are gradually lit on successive days. These eight branches refer to the eight days during which the flame continued to burn in the Temple of Jerusalem, despite the lack of oil.

How is Hanukkah celebrated?

The festival is celebrated, mainly, by lighting the oil lamp of the hanukkiyyah. Tradition says that on the evening of the beginning of Hanukkah, a first lamp is lit, the next day the second and so on until the entire hanukkiyyah is lit. Hanukkah lamps cannot be used for providing light, but are intended to remember the miracle of the oil. The lamps are therefore usually placed next to windows and doorways, so they can be seen by passers-by on the street. During these days, Jewish children usually play dreidel, a type of spinning top with four faces, each of which shows a Hebrew letter. They bet on sweets, candies or chocolate coins and the winner can eat the ones they have won from their opponents. During Hanukkah, they also eat foods fried in oil (as much a star of the festival as the lamp itself), including latkes (a fried dough made from potatoes) and pastries filled with jam, known as sufganiyot.

Hanukkah in Barcelona

Jewish communities in Barcelona celebrate this festival within a family and community atmosphere. However, every year, since 2011, the Jewish community has also held a public commemoration event in Plaça de Sant Jaume. This year it will take place on Thursday, 18 December at around 6:30 p.m., and it will also be held on Sunday, 21 December, at the same time, in Turó Park. The event is being organised by Barcelona’s Jabad Lubavitch community. The event consists of several speeches and the traditional lighting of a Hanukkiah.

The Jewish community in Barcelona

Judaism has been present in hub since the Middle Ages, interrupted however by the various policies and persecutions that the Jewish people have been subjected to. The Jewish community has been active again in the city since the twentieth century. The Jewish communities in Barcelona represent all the main currents of Judaism (orthodox, reform and progressive) and are an example of coexistence in religious plurality and diversity in the city.

When and where? 

• Thursday, 18 December, at around 6:00 p.m. in Plaça de Sant Jaume.
• Sunday, 21 December, at around 6:00 p.m. in Turó Park.

YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE HANUKKAH BROCHURE HERE (Catalan).