(ג / "gimmel") Food
The main ingredient in latkes?
Potato
In a popular Hanukkah song, a person crafts a dreidel out of this material
Clay
This Jewish resistance group led the revolt against the oppressive Seleucid Empire, restoring Jewish sovereignty in ancient Judea
The Maccabees
This Jewish dynasty which ruled over ancient Judea from 140-37 BC descends from the Maccabees
Hasmonean
This popular Jewish acapella group is named after characters from the Hanukkah story
the Maccabeats
This chocolate coin is traditionally given to children during Hanukkah
Gelt
This special candle stands highest and is used to light the other 8 candles on the menorah
The shamash
The Seleuicid Greek King who ruled from 175 - 164 B.C.E. and attempted to assimilate the Jewish people to Hellenistic culture by suppressing Jewish laws and practices
Antiochus IV
The length of the Maccabean revolt
3 years
This comedian wrote The Hanukkah Song and performed it on Saturday Night Live
Adam Sandler
This type of oil was used to light the original menorah in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem (Beit Hamikdash)
Olive oil
The four letters on the dreidel stand for this Hebrew phrase
"Nes Gadol Haya Sham" - A great miracle happened there
The father of Judah the Maccabee who started the Maccabean revolt
Hint: He shares a name with the popular American Jewish artist who sings "One Day"
Matisyahu
Name one of the three empires which controlled Judea immediately before the Seleucid Greeks
Kingdom of Macedon -- Alexander the Great's empire
Ptolemaic Empire -- Hellenistic empire in Egypt
Achaemenid Empire -- Ancient Persia
The meaning of the word “Hanukkah” in Hebrew
Dedication
This sweet jelly-filled doughnut is traditionally eaten on Hanukkah
Sufganiyah
To publicize the miracle and celebrate Judaism's resilience in the face of forced assimilation, Menorahs are typically placed in this location
The windowsill facing outside
This temple was rededicated after the Maccabees’ victory
The Second Temple in Jerusalem / Beit Hamikdash
This Hellenist (supporter of Greek assimilation) was appointed as the Kohen Hagadol (High Priest) by the Seleucid Greeks, taking the place of his brother Yochanan
Jason the Priest
The date Hanukkah begins in the Hebrew calendar
25th of Kislev
This ingredient is used in all traditional Hanukkah foods due to its importance in the Hanukkah story
Oil
The total number of candles used throughout all eight nights
44
Find three word pairs that satisfy this claim:
Hanukkah celebrates the victory of ___ over ___
light / darkness
the Maccabees / the Seleucid Greeks
religious freedom / religious intolerance
cultural distinctiveness / assimilation
political autonomy / conquering powers
Antiochus enacted a string of prohibitions targeting Jewish religious practice, including outlawing Torah study, Shabbat observance, circumcision, and temple service. This final act catalyzed the revolt:
The rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem (Beit Hamikdash) to the Olympian god Zeus
The meaning of "Maccabee"
מכבי
Maccabee is an acronym for "Mi Kamocha Ba’eilim Hashem" meaning "who is like you g-d" in Hebrew