Overview

• Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, husband of Vice President Kamala Harris, incorrectly described the story of Hanukkah in a social media post, leading to widespread criticism and the deletion of the post.
• Emhoff, who is Jewish and is working with the White House on combating antisemitism, portrayed the Hanukkah story as one of Jews hiding and surviving on a few drops of oil, which is not accurate.
• The true story of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabees, a Jewish militia, liberated ancient Israel from Syrian-Greek occupation about 2,200 years ago.
• During the rededication of the temple, the Maccabees found only a one-day supply of sacred oil that miraculously lasted for eight days, which is why Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days and eight nights.
• Emhoff's incorrect portrayal of the Hanukkah story was met with criticism from various commentators, with some suggesting it reflected a broader misunderstanding of Jewish history and tradition.