page_title: Hanukkah
section_title: Characters and heroes
hierarchical_section_title: Hanukkah / Story / Characters and heroes
context_page_description: Hanukkah is a Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire. It is also known as the Festival of Lights.
  Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of a candelabrum with nine branches, called a menorah. One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called the shamash. Each night, one additional candle is lit by the shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival. Other Hanukkah festivities include playing the game of dreidel and eating oil-based foods, such as latkes and sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwide Chabad Hasidic movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.
context_section_description: Matityahu the High Priest, also referred to as Mattathias and Mattathias ben Johanan. Matityahu was a Jewish High Priest who, together with his five sons, played a central role in the story of Hanukkah.
  Judah the Maccabee, also referred to as Judas Maccabeus and Y'hudhah HaMakabi. Judah was the eldest son of Matityahu and is acclaimed as one of the greatest warriors in Jewish history alongside Joshua, Gideon, and David.
  Eleazar the Maccabee, also referred to as Eleazar Avaran, Eleazar Maccabeus and Eleazar Hachorani/Choran.
  Simon the Maccabee, also referred to as Simon Maccabeus and Simon Thassi.
  Johanan the Maccabee, also referred to as Johanan Maccabeus and John Gaddi.
  Jonathan the Maccabee, also referred to as Jonathan Apphus.
  Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Seleucid emperor controlling the region during this period.
  Judith. Acclaimed for her heroism in the assassination of Holofernes.
  Hannah and her seven sons. Arrested, tortured and killed one by one, by Antiochus IV Epiphanes for refusing to bow to an idol.
caption: The Triumph of Judas Maccabeus, Rubens, 1634–1636
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