Hanukkah
Hanukkah or Chanukah is the Jewish festival of lights.
The festival begins on the 25th day of Kislev (this year 8th December) and is celebrated for eight days. In the western calendar Hanukkah is celebrated in November or December.
The word Hanukkah means dedication and commemorates the Jews' struggle for religious freedom.
Jews believe they are celebrating a miracle, as the festival marks the the victory of the Jews (led by Judah Maccabee) over the Syrians after a th
ree year war in 165 BCE. It is also at this time that the Maccabees rededicated the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
Once the war was over, the Jews decided to repair the temple and have a dedication ceremony.
As part of the celebrations a menorah (candelabra) was lit and although there was only enough oil to light the menorah for a day, it stayed alight for eight days.
It is because of this miracle that Hanukkah is celebrated by lighting an extra candle each night for eight nights. On day one, the first candle is lit; on the second night Jews light two candles, and the pattern continues. By the eighth night, all eight candles are lit.
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