Hanukkah, the Hebrew word meaning dedication, is celebrated in the Hebrew month of Kislev, which occurs in mid to late December. This holiday is also called The Festival of Lights and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukah recalls the struggle for religious freedom and commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Hellenistic Syrians in the year 165 B.C.E.

The Talmud says that when the Jewish army wanted to rededicate the Temple, they were unable to find enough specially prepared oil to light the Menorah, a holy lamp, or candelabra, used in the Temple service. There was only enough oil left to burn for one day. However, a wondrous miracle occurred: The oil for one day lit the Temple for eight straight days. This miracle is celebrated in the eight days of Hanukah.

An important part of the Hanukah celebration is the menorah. This is a candleholder with eight candles and a shammash or servant candle. One candle is lit by the shammash for each of the night of Hanukah. After the lighting of the candles, people give gifts to one another, sing and eat. A popular food for Hanukah is potato pancakes, or latkes, cooked in oil in honor of the miracle. Children enjoy playing the dreidel game. This is a top game played with nuts or gold-covered chocolate coins. There are four letters of the top, which stand for nun, gimmel, hay, and shin and give the directions for what to give or take during the game. The letters also stand for "nes gadol hayah sham" or "a great miracle happened there."

-- Bree Burgundian


http://www.hanukah.com/chanukah/maccabees-miracles.html
http://www.everythingjewish.com/Hanukah/origins.htm
http://www.cstone.net/~bry-back/holidayfun/hannukah.html
http://www.613.org/music/han.ram (music/prayers for Hanukah)
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/  (more music)