Hanukkah Countdown

Hanukkah (also spelled Chanukah), the Jewish Festival of Lights, is an eight-day celebration that begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev — typically falling in November or December, though the exact date shifts each year with the Jewish lunisolar calendar. Unlike major Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, Hanukkah is a minor religious holiday in traditional Jewish practice, but it has taken on greater cultural significance in countries where it falls near Christmas. Hanukkah commemorates events that took place in 165 BCE, when a small group of Jewish fighters called the Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Greek army and recaptured the Temple in Jerusalem. When the Maccabees went to rededicate the Temple — 'Hanukkah' means 'dedication' in Hebrew — they found only enough ritually pure olive oil to burn for one day. According to the Talmud, the oil miraculously burned for eight days, long enough to prepare a fresh supply. The eight-day celebration commemorates this miracle. Hanukkah is observed by lighting the hanukkiah (a nine-branched menorah) — one candle on the first night, adding one each subsequent night. The ninth branch holds the shamash (helper candle) used to light the others. Other traditions include playing dreidel (a spinning top game), eating fried foods such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) to symbolize the oil miracle, and giving gifts or gelt (money, often in the form of chocolate coins). Hanukkah is celebrated by approximately 14 million Jews worldwide.

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