Most people are looking forward to Christmas, while others are in the middle of celebrating Hanukkah. Hanukkah, better known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day event celebrated by the Jewish people.
This year's Hanukkah commenced on the evening of Dec. 12 and will conclude on the evening of Dec. 20. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of Jerusalem's Holy Temple after the victory of the Maccabees against the King Antiochus and his Seleucid Empire.
Maccabees are considered the Jewish Freedom Fighters who rallied against the Seleucid. The Festival of Lights title can be traced back to when the Maccabees built a new Menorah candle and wanted to light it for several days. However, the pure olive oil they found lying around can only light the candle for one day. After deciding to light it with the oil they have, the Maccabees were shocked to see that the candle managed to stay ablaze for eight days. The Jewish people believed that it was a miracle from God, and so they continued to commemorate the holiday.
Jewish people celebrate the holiday by lighting their own Hanukiah or Menorah at home and reciting blessings. Jews also play the Dreidel, which is a gambling toy wherein people can win candies and nuts. Chanukah, another name for Hanukkah, is not complete without food cooked with oil like latkes, rugelach, sufganiyot, and applesauce. The most famous Hanukkah dish are the latkes, which are pancakes made of potato with garlic and onion.
Just like Christmas, people give gifts to little children during Hanukkah. Jews also practice the Tikkun Olam during Hanukkah. Tikkun Olam is a session for Jews to talk to each other, especially to the little ones about their beliefs and ideology. In some Jewish household, people practice eight days of Tikkun Olam.
Jewish people also sing songs inspired by the Hanukkah holiday and all of its components.
