Definitions for "Hanuka"
the Festival of Lights celebrated for eight days, starting the twenty-fifth of Kislev (November-December). Hanuka marks the struggle for religious freedom and the successful revolt of poorly armed Jews against the forces of Antiochus Epiphanes, who proscribed the practice of Judaism. In 165 B.C.E., the Jewish fighters, led by Judah Maccabeus, routed the Hellenistic Syrians and re-dedicated the Temple. Hanuka is a time when card games, usually forbidden, are permitted.