During the end of November or early December, Hanukkah begins. It happens on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev. The word “Hanukkah” means “Rededication,” and is meant to remember the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 165 BC, after the Jewish soldiers wrestled it back from the Syrian-Greek soldiers.
The Jewish troops were determined to cleanse the temple by burning ritual oil for eight days. However, when they looked at the oil in the temple, they were dismayed to see only enough for one day. They lit the oil anyway, and to their surprise and delight, the oil burned for the full eight days, even though there should not have been enough.
The miracle of the oil is represented today by the lighting of the Menorah. On the first night, one candle is lit. On the second night, two candles, and so on, until the final night sees all eight candles burning bright. The candles should be lit at sundown or as close to sundown as possible, and positioned so that passersby can see the lights and remember the miracle.
The traditional placement is outside the front door and to the left, but that might not be feasible in all places. Another option is to place the Menorah in a windowsill, but if that isn’t possible, place the Menorah on a table in the center of the room, to declare the miracle to those who are in the household.
Since the Jewish holiday falls so close to Christmas, in many countries Hanukkah has become a bit more secular. Sometimes children are given small gifts, one for every night of Hanukkah, to celebrate the season and the miracle. Even though the gifts were not part of original traditions, many of the original games and foods are still presented during Hanukkah. The miracle of oil calls for the eating of fried foods during the holiday, and the spinning of the Driedel, a classic Jewish game, is often played during the nights when the Menorah burns.
Interestingly, Hanukkah is one of the lesser holidays, according to Jewish law. But the proximity of Hanukkah to Christmas has made it more of an event than it was in centuries past.