Celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights

The Festival of Lights, otherwise known as Hanukkah, is an eight day Jewish holiday that starts on the 25th day of Kislev. This may be in December, late November, or, early January, though that is only a rare occurrence. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the kindling of lights on each of the festival's eight nights, one on the first night, two on the second night and so on.

Jews celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the Miracle of the Oil. According to the Talmud, which is a record of Jewish law and customs, at the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem following the victory of the Maccabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough consecrated olive oil to fuel the eternal flame in the Temple for one day. But somehow quite miraculously the oil burned for eight day, which just so happened to be how long it took to press, prepare and consecrate newly made oil.

The lights can be candles or oil lamps. Electric lights are sometimes used and are acceptable in places where open flame is not permitted, such as a hospital room. Most Jewish homes have a special candelabra or oil lamp holder for Hanukkah, called a Menorah. The reason for the Hanukkah lights is a reminder to those walking by the home of the holidays miracle. Therefore the Menorah is displayed at a prominent window or near the door leading to the street.

Typically three blessings are recited during this eight-day festival. On the first night of Hanukkah, Jews recite all three blessings, but only recite the first two on the nights that follow. The blessings are said before or after the candles are lit depending on tradition. On the first night of Hanukkah one light or candle is lit on the right side of the Menorah, on the following night a second light is placed to the left of the first and is lit first proceeding from left to right, and so on each night.

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