What is Hanukkah for?.. like why do Jews do it?

the wording of this question is a tad offensive.

I'm sure it was just intellectual curiosity on your part, but the question is worded very badly; it sounds rude and ignorant. But I'm going to go ahead and answer the intent behind the question. First of all, it's *not* and never will be "Jewish Christmas". It didn't even happen at the same time; it happened 168 years before it. Hanukkah celebrates two things: the military victory over the Greeks, and the miracle of oil. The Greek army took over Israel and tried to subdue its culture. In the process, they desecrated the Jerusalem Temple. Until one day, an army of Jews called the Maccabees (means "hammers" in Hebrew) revolted, and kicked the Greeks out of Israel. While cleaning up the ravages of the war, they found the Temple desecrated in every which way. The found only as a small amount of untainted oil, just enough to burn for one night. But due to a miracle, it burned for eight nights, which gave the Jews enough time to make new oil, and bring the Temple back to its glory.

By the way, watch the movie "Hebrew Hammer". It's a very funny Hanukkah movie. If you're Jewish or just appreciate the Jewish culture, you will like it. At least you'll know where the quote "Shabbat shalom, motherf'ers!" came from.

hanukkah is not the jewish version of christmas. it celebrates when we were ruled by the greeks and they tried to hellenise us and make us deny Gd, we stood firm in our beliefs and didnt give in, even tho we were threatened with death. the jews decided to fight the greeks then which was a joke cuz the jews didnt even have an army then and the greeks were the world power at that time, but Gd made a miracle and the jews (they called themselves maccabees) won over the greeks. then when they returned to jerusalem to light the menorah in the Temple they found that all the oil had been defiled and they couldnt use it anymore. till they found one small jar hidden. it wasnt even enough to last one night but Gd made a miracle and it lasted for 8 days till they cud make new oil. thats why we celebrate hanukkah for 8 days. this holiday is us celebrating not assimilating with the greeks and staying true to our faith. we wouldnt celebrate "not assimilating" by assimilating and making this "the jewish christmas". that would be a bit hypocritacle, dont you think?

Hanukkah represents miracles. In the story of Hanukkah after a war the Jewish people only had enough oil to keep the temple lamp burning for one day but i miraculously lasted 8 days. So the Jewish give thanks on these 8 days for all of the miracles they experience.

Chanukah is where all Jewish people celebrate by lighting their Menorahs for eight days in commemoration for the Greeks (Maccabees). We were given oil to last for a night and it lasted eight days to give us light. Two prayers are recited during the lighting. (I do more than one prayer though to give thanks to the Lord.) We light our Menorah from the right to the left, starting with the King (Shamesh) candle. We play games like spin the Dreidel, (a spinning top on which are inscribed the Hebrew letters nun, gimmel, hei and shin, an acronym for Nes Gadol Hayah Sham, "a great miracle happened there"), give Chanukah Gelt (Gifts of chocolate coins), and eating fried foods such as Latkes, (potato pancakes) Doughnuts (Optional).

Your question is rude and ignorant from the perspective of a Jew. Can you imagine me saying "What is Christmas for? It's not even Jesus's real birthday! It's made up! Like, why do Christians do it? Do you think Jesus would appreciate having his brithday commemorated by having millions cut down live trees, then throwing them away a month later?" That would be rude, right?

In the future, please ask what the meaning of Chanukah is. Or try Google. You can find an excellent explanation of Chanukah and how and why it's celebrated at http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htm

the greeks had taken over the country and tried to make the jews like them. they took over the temple and put idols in it. a small group of jews fought them and won. that was one of the miracles. also they desecrated all the oil except one jug that was enough to light the menorah in the temple for one day. and it burned all 8 days it took to get new oil.

Please refer to my answer to the Question: How many people celebrate Hanukkah?

the message of Hannukkah is against assimilation

Jews is one of those cases that is important and is going to require expert tending to on