Hanukkah is an eight-day annual Jewish holiday, also called the Festival of Lights or the Festival of Re-Dedication of the Temple. The celebration begins on the 25th day of the Kislev from the Hebrew calendar, which may occur anytime between late November to early January of our Gregorian calendar.
The festival’s roots began in 175 BCE when the Syrian conquerors persecuted the Jews and desecrated their sacred temple, even building an altar to Zeus over it. In 165 BCE, a revolt led by the Jewish Priest Matthias and his five sons triumphed over the conquerors and drove them out of the Holy Land. Hanukkah commemorates the time when Matthias rededicated the temple to Jewish worship.
Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting a candle each day over a period of eight days. A special candelabrum called a Menorah is used to light a candle each night until the final night. In addition, traditional prayers and hymn singing are also important parts of the commemoration. Food tradition involves enjoying potato pancakes (latkes in yiddish) and jam-filled doughnuts, and other foods deep- fried in oil.
Sending out Hanukkah cards has become a custom to mark the celebration. Popular customs also include giving children presents, particularly, actual (or chocolate) money as gifts.
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