THE MIRACLE OF CHANUKAH

Hanukkah is one of the major Jewish holidays, celebrated over eight days. It commemorates the miracle that occurred at the dedication of the Second Temple after the victory of the Jewish commander Judah Maccabeus over the armies of the Seleucid king Antiochus in 164 BC.

According to legend, when the Jews came to the temple to light the menorah (temple lamp), there was only one jug of untainted olive oil left. It should have been enough for only one day of burning the menorah. However, a miracle happened: the lamp burned for eight days, exactly as long as it took to prepare the new oil. To commemorate this event, candles are lit every night of Chanukah. Their number increases from one on the first day of the holiday to eight on the last.

During Hanukkah, it is customary to eat dishes cooked with vegetable oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) or sufganiya (doughnuts with jelly). It is also a time to give toys and money to children.