| Hannukah is a Jewish holiday celebrated in | | | | miracle occurred when the one day supply of oil |
| December normally a week or so before the | | | | lasted the entire eight days. This is why Hannukah |
| Christian holiday of Christmas. It is not one of the | | | | or "Festival of Lights" is a Jewish holiday that lasts |
| important religious holidays in the Jewish faith but | | | | eight nights and candles are lit every night. |
| it is a joyous holiday. It is often referred to as | | | | Hanukkah is a festive time for gathering and |
| the "Festival of Lights". It commemorates the | | | | celebrating with friends and family. |
| physical and spiritual victory of the Jews over the | | | | The menorah is a candlelabra which is used for |
| Greeks more than 2150 years ago. | | | | Hannukah celebrations. It has nine candles - one |
| Jerusalem was conquered by Alexander the | | | | for each of the eight nights and the ninth is called |
| Great. When he died his empire was divided | | | | the shamash which means servant and it is the |
| among the Greek rulers who then gained control | | | | candle used to light the others. The shamash is |
| of the Jewish land. They forced the Jews to | | | | placed in the middle and at a different height from |
| adopt Greek dress and customs to establish | | | | the others. Candles are lit from left to right. |
| conformity in religious and political practices. They | | | | Families and friends gather at dusk to light the |
| even changed the Temple in Jerusalem which was | | | | menorah every night during Hannukah and sing |
| the national house of worship to a temple to the | | | | blessings as the candles are lit. Small gifts are |
| Greek god, Zeus. | | | | exchanged each night and games are played. The |
| Mattathias was a Jewish priest who began a | | | | most popular game is played using the dreidel |
| revolution when he refused to worship the Greek | | | | which is a spinning top with four sides. Favorite |
| gods. His sons joined him and later his son Judah | | | | foods are fried because of the meaning of oil to |
| Macabee led a small group of soldiers and | | | | the holiday. Potato pancakes fried in oil called |
| conquered the temple. They were able to | | | | latkes are typically served. |
| eventually drive the Greeks right out of | | | | Some people think the Hannukah celebration is |
| Jerusalem. | | | | something like the Jewish Christmas.The blue and |
| After the temple was conquered it was | | | | white colors of Hanukah are marketed more |
| rededicated and it is said that a miracle occurred | | | | heavily each year. Many Christmas wreath |
| at this ceremony. Hannukah means rededication in | | | | companies offer Christmas wreaths and |
| Hebrew. They had to reconsecrate the temple | | | | Christmas centerpieces with the blue, white and |
| because of the offensive practices that the | | | | silver colors of Hannukah. Both Hannukah and |
| Greeks had performed there. They had to relight | | | | Christmas are joyous celebrations for Christians |
| the eternal flame on the Menorah. The Jews only | | | | and Jews and even though they have separate |
| used sacred olive oil for the eternal flame and | | | | religious meanings it's nice that mixed families can |
| were only able to find enough for one day. It | | | | celebrate their holidays in the same joyous |
| took eight days to make more sacred oil. The | | | | manner. |