Why is Hanukkah and Chanukah spelled differently?

It should come as no surprise that the word Hanukkah comes from the Hebrew language, and that Hebrew and English are written in different alphabets. As a result, Hebrew words must be transliterated (converted from one alphabet into another) if they are to be readable in English.

How many ways is Hanukkah spelled?

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, there are 24 spellings for Hanukkah, during which Jews light candles on a menorah to celebrate the miracle of a one-day oil supply lasting eight after the Maccabean Revolt in the second century B.C. Even in pop culture, there are a number of ways to spell it.

Why is it spelled Chanukah?

The answer is that both are considered correct, though Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional. So, when the Hebrew word was transliterated in the 17th century, the ḥet became ch (Chanukah).

Why is it called Hanukkah?

The name “Hanukkah” derives from the Hebrew verb “חנך‎”, meaning “to dedicate”. On Hanukkah, the Maccabean Jews regained control of Jerusalem and rededicated the Temple.

Where did the word Hanukkah come from?

Is it spelled Hanukkah or Chanukah?

The answer is that both are considered correct, though Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional.

What is correct spelling of Hanukkah?

Chanukah
For many English speakers, the festival is also known for confusion over the spelling of its name: Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? The answer is that both are considered correct, though Hanukkah is the most widely used spelling, while Chanukah is more traditional. In addition, more than 20 other variations are recorded.

When was Hanukkah first celebrated?

164 B.C.
Hanukkah commemorates the victory in 164 B.C. of a group of Jewish people (the Maccabees) over the Syrian Greeks, who had been occupying the Land of Israel since before 167 B.C. Not only had the Greeks destroyed the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, but they also banned the practice of Judaism entirely.

Should you spell it Hanukkah or Chanukah?

If you want to fit in with the crowd, opt for the Hanukkah spelling, now the most widely used of the choices. However, don’t forget Chanukah, the second most often used spelling and the favorite of traditionalists. Just how did Hanukkah ‘s spelling become so popular and oust Chanukah atop the list?

Why is Hanukkah spoken with the ch sound?

You can blame it on the ch sound being similar to the H sound, making Hanukkah a bit easier for English speakers to understand the pronunciation. As little as about five years ago, the top spelling choice on the Internet was Chanukah.

Should Chanukah be spelt with a ‘ch’?

While some might consider the case to be closed and that Chanukah should be spelled with a “ch,” it’s not so simple. Although the “ch” in Brach is a similar pronunciation to Chet, the closest sounding letter in the English alphabet is “h,” birthing the spelling of the holiday as “Hanukkah.”

Why is Hanukkah written with an h and a dot?

Let’s see why that version is a favorite. In Hebrew, the word “Hanukkah” begins with the Hebrew letter Chet. Although “there is no actual standardized transliteration” when it comes to that letter, Krinsky has seen it commonly written with an H and in prayer books with and an H and a dot underneath it.