By Amy McManamon

A Great Miracle Happened There Menorahs and miracles, lights and latkes, dreidels and rededication. What do they mean to those of Jewish faith? They're all part of Hanukkah, a celebration of the survival of Jewish culture and faith. Called "The Festival of Lights," this eight-day holiday is observed by Jews around the world, beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. During Hanukkah—which

Photo courtesy of Chabad of San Francisco.

Hanukkah dates back to 165 B.C. and commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Greeks. At the time, the Greeks were attempting to impose their language, customs and religion upon those they conquered. They were successful everywhere but Judea, where religious Jews remained faithful to their Torah and their one God. Their resistance to Greek customs and paganism was dealt with harshly. The Emperor Antiochus banned Jewish practices and executed those who would not worship Zeus.

Unwilling to renounce their Jewish culture and religion, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers gathered an army. After seven years of warfare, the Maccabee army overcame the more powerful Greeks. But when the victorious Maccabees returned to Jerusalem to reclaim their temple, it was defiled and in ruins. Somehow, one small jar of pure olive oil—used to light the lamp of the temple—survived.

However, the purification ceremonies of the time—necessary before the temple could be used again— called for a full day of purification, followed by days of thanks. There wasn't enough oil to keep a constant flame and complete the entire ritual. Or was there? The people took a risk, lit the lamp and, miraculously, it stayed lit for an entire eight days and nights—until more oil could be found and brought to the temple.

Since that day, Jews have observed Hanukkah, meaning "rededication," for eight days and celebrated with the ceremonial lighting of candles every evening during the festival.

Kindling the Hanukkah Light
Hanukkah is rich in tradition, centered on children, family and Jewish community. Festivities begin with the lighting of a nine-stemmed candelabra called a Menorah ("Hanukkiyah" in Hebrew). The Menorah symbolizes the divine presence within the temple or home where it is kept and venerated. The Menorah holds eight candles plus a service candle, or "shamash."

On the first night of Hanukkah, a single candle is lit. Each night another candle is added, until all are lit. Hebrew blessings are recited, and the story of Hanukkah is told over the eight nights. Traditional Hanukkah songs, such as Maoz Tzur (Rock of Ages), are sung.

Gifts, Games and Food
During Hanukkah, children are given gelt (money), which could be real coins or gold foil-wrapped chocolate coins. Kids receive gelt for answering questions or solving riddles correctly, and then use the gelt for betting in dreidel.

It just wouldn't be Hanukkah without dreidel, a game of chance that originated in India. Children take turns spinning the dreidel, a cube-like top with Hebrew letters on each of its four sides. The initials nun, gimel, hey and shin refer to the miracle of Hanukkah represented in the first letters of Nes Gadol Haya Sham, or, "a great miracle happened there." Children place a bet of candy or coins into the kitty, spin the dreidel, and wait to see where it lands.

Like many festivals, Hanukkah incorporates traditional foods. From latkes (potato pancakes) to sufganiot (jelly donuts), many are fried in oil to commemorate the ancient miracle of the sacred olive oil.

Dairy products are also a common theme—from sour cream on potato pancakes to cheese in blintzes. The custom goes back to the story of Judith, a Jewish heroine who beheaded an enemy general after feeding him a sleep-inducing meal of wine and rich dairy products.

The small bit of oil found in the temple so many years ago not only provided eight days and nights of purifying light, it has provided those of Jewish faith with evidence of miracles, unifying traditions, and an enduring light for the ages.