what is the meaning of the word, hanukkah?

Answer 1

Several have offered an explanation of the feast known by this name. But the Hebrew word simply means "dedication".

It is true that the feast commemorates what was historically a "RE-dedication" of the Temple, when it was ritually purified from its defilement by Antiochus Epiphanes. But there is no specific notion of repetiion ("re") in the word itself.

This understanding of the feast also helps to explain the origin of the eight days of lights (hence "Feast of Lights"). The feast imitated the annual "Feast of Tabernacles" [or "Booths"], which likewise was held for eight days and put a focus on lamps/lights (symbolically connected to God's leading the Israelites through the desert in a "pillar of fire").

See this in 2 Maccabees 10:
5 On the anniversary of the day on which the temple had been profaned by the Gentiles, that is, the twenty-fifth of the same month Chislev, the purification of the temple took place.
6 The Jews celebrated joyfully for eight days as on the feast of Booths, remembering how, a little while before, they had spent the feast of Booths living like wild animals in caves on the mountains.
http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/2maccabees/2maccabees10.htm

(I am not taking a position on whether there was an actual "miracle of oil" -- that oil for one day miraculously lasted for eight. I am simply saying that the form of the observance was rooted in the Feast of Tabernacles.)

Incidentally, a related Hebrew word is the name "Enoch" (the Hebrew form of which might be rendered as "Chenoch" or "Chenok"), meaning "dedicated" (to God, that is).

Answer 2

Hanukkah (Hebrew: חנוכה), also known as the Festival of Lights or Festival of Rededication, is an eight-day Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th day of Kislev, which may be in December, late November, or, while very rare in occasion, early January (as was the case for the Hanukkah of 2005–2006). The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each of the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second, and so on.

In Hebrew, the word Hanukkah is written חנֻכה or חנוכה. It is most commonly transliterated to English as Chanukah or Hanukkah, the latter because the sound represented by "CH" (as in "loch") does not exist in the English language.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah

Answer 3

The Feast of Lights (Feast of Dedication) is celebrated for eight days to commemorate the rededication of the Temple following the Jews' victory over occupying forces in 165 BCE, which re-established for a time their religious and political freedom. (Judaism)

Answer 4

Hanukkah is an eight day Jewish holiday, where they light the menorah's eight candles for each day. it begins on the 25th day of Kislev

Answer 5

It means rededication in the Hebrew language. Its actually a minor holiday, but widely celebrated. Jews rededicated their faith after such a miracle accrued.

HAPPY 6th DAY OF HANUKKAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

Check this site for relevant info. http://www.answers.com/topic/hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Jewish festival of lights.

Answer 7

ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061105204941AANwFMQ
www.answerbag.com/q_view/43498
www.anitadiamant.com/faqsredtent.htm
www.infoplease.com/dictionary/meaning
www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0907017.html