Hanukkah is the Jewish eight-day, “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and songs, and traditional foods. Good deeds are performed, gifts shared, and children play traditional games.

The Hebrew word Chanukah means “dedication,” and it celebrates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. In the second century BCE, the Holy Land was ruled by the Seleucids (Syrian-Greeks), who tried to force the people of Israel to accept Greek culture and beliefs. Against all odds, a small band of faithful but poorly armed Jews, led by Judah the Maccabee, defeated one of the mightiest armies on earth, driving the Greeks from the land. They reclaimed and rededicated the Temple.  

When they sought to light the Temple's menorah (the seven-branched candelabrum), they found only a single cruse of olive oil that had escaped contamination by the Greeks. Miraculously, they lit the menorah and the one-day supply of oil lasted for eight days. 

Let us join our Jewish siblings in celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah!