The Festival of Lights commemorates rededication of Jerusalem temple

December the 20th begins the eight-day Jewish celebration known as Hanukkah. The date is different each year, but always starts on the 25th of Kivlev in the Jewish calendar, which uses lunar (moon) dates. The remembrance is observed by most Jewish Americans.

Hanukkah, the Hebrew word for dedication, is a time to remember an important part of Jewish history. In 168 B.C., their holy temple had been seized by the Greek King of Syria, who dedicated it to the worship of Zeus. The Jews were outlawed from practicing their religion, and they decided to fight their oppressors in what became the Maccabean Revolt.

A Jewish high priest was brutally killed and his son, Judah Maccabee, was put in charge of their army. He led them to victory over the Greeks after a three-year war. When they returned to Jerusalem, they found their defiled temple in disarray, with many sacred items missing or broken.

After they restored the temple, they held a re-dedication ceremony. They wanted to light the menorah, but found only enough oil for one day. It was important for them to sanctify the temple immediately so they could celebrate the Succoth Harvest festival that would ensure them plentiful crops during the upcoming year. A miracle occurred; the oil lasted for eight days and nights.

Today’s Jews light one candle each night on their own special menorah. During Hanukkah, special games are played, traditional foods are served and, especially in the United States, families present gifts each night. Although Jews have given gold or chocolate coins to family and friends since the 17th century, this more elaborate gift-giving has been influenced by the commercialization of Christmas, which occurs at approximately the same time.

Most of the special holiday foods are fried in oil to symbolize the oil that lasted for eight days. Pancakes of all kinds are traditional, especially potato pancakes known at latkes. Children enjoy the jelly-filled fried donuts.