Fortunately, to learn about Hebrew culture in Spain, we no longer have to rely solely on history books or thematic museums. Thanks to the presence of nearly 50,000 Jews in our country, their liturgical and traditional celebrations have been reintroduced into the everyday life of many towns and cities. And those who travel with the intention of discovering Sephardic heritage also have the opportunity to take part in them first-hand. For this reason, we are dedicating this post to the celebration of Hanukkah in Andalusia, as our region is one of those most closely linked to Judaism.
Hanukkah, a special celebration
Hanukkah, also spelled Hanukkah, is often known as the Festival of Lights, since light is the main protagonist. It commemorates a pivotal event in the history of Judaism, which took place more than 2,200 years ago and is documented: the recovery of the Temple of Jerusalem for the Jews, as a result of the Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid Hellenistic empire.
In this episode, according to Jewish tradition, a temple candelabrum was lit and, miraculously, kept its flame burning for eight days, even though it only had enough oil for one.
For this reason, in this religious celebration a special candelabrum is lit, the Hanukkiah, with nine branches instead of the seven of the Menorah. The Hanukkiah has a central branch and four on each side. The first candle to be lit is the one on the central branch and, from it, the flame is passed to the other candles progressively, one per day. In this way, it represents the light of the eight days the miracle lasted, which is also the duration of today’s festival.
By mistake, Hanukkah is sometimes called “the Jews’ Christmas”, although it has nothing to do with it, as is clear. The only thing they do share is the importance given to light, which in Jewish culture is a symbol of peace, but also of freedom and the affirmation of one’s own identity.
What Hanukkah is like in Andalusia
Publicly, the celebration of Hanukkah in Andalusia is different every year: the main Sephardic cultural centres create their own programme of events, with varied proposals. In this respect, one of the leading references is the Three Cultures of the Mediterranean Foundation which, at its spectacular headquarters on the Isla de la Cartuja in Seville, plans an extensive calendar of cultural activities: concerts, talks, exhibitions, and much more.
What has not changed is the devotion to celebrating Hanukkah in Andalusia privately: in the synagogues of the region’s cities, such as those on the Costa del Sol (Málaga and Marbella, mainly), resident Jews and others arriving from elsewhere in Andalusia gather together.
However, the celebration of Hanukkah in Andalusia is just one more example of the many Jewish festivities that take place in this region. Therefore, if you would like to give Sephardic culture a prominent place in your journey, please contact Andalucía Exclusiva: we work with guides with in-depth knowledge of Sephardic culture and have an extensive network of related providers (accommodation, restaurants, etc.).
