The Menorah(candleholder) is called Hannukiyah. There are eight places for a separate flame, which represents the eight days. It is imperative that the flames do not touch each other or the shamash(servant candle) which lights the other flames. The sha

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is the Celebration of Lights, which means the "feast of dedication". The celebration starts every 25th day of Kislev, the ninth month in the Hebrew calendar, and continues for eight days. The holiday is the remembrance of the oil burning for eight days instead of one.

Antiochus was the Syrian king, Mattahias and his sons disagreed with worshipping Greek gods. When they fled to the mountains with a few other followers, they returned to Jerusalem, known as the Macabees. They fought the Syrian Army with farm tools and sticks against the army’s swords victoriously. When they arrived at the temple, it was covered with blood, dirt and ashes. The books, Torahs and candlesticks had been stolen. The Jews started to clean and rebuild the temple and when doing so they noticed that there was only enough oil in the Menorah to last one day. Miraculously the next day, the Menorah was still lit and continued to burn for eight days.

The Menorah(candleholder) is called Hannukiyah. There are eight places for a separate flame, which represents the eight days. It is imperative that the flames do not touch each other or the shamash(servant candle) which lights the other flames. The shamash must be higher or lower or away from the other candles.

The Dreidle is the most popular Hannukah game. This game began when Antiochus forbade the Jews to study the Torah. Groups of children secretly memorized the Torah and studied together. When they heard footsteps of the Syrian soldiers coming they pulled out their dreidles and pretended to play. This game is only played at Hannukah. It is another reminder of the miraculous oil and the Maccabbean victory.