Festival of Lights or popularly known as Hanukkah is now being celebrated by many people right now, jewish or non-jewish. If you have no idea of what Hanukkah is, this post will help you give at least a brief information about this holiday festive.

Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days. This is celebrated sometime in November or December (this is according to the Gregorian calendar).

In Hebrew, the word “hanukkah” means “dedication.” The name reminds us that this holiday commemorates the rededication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem following the Jewish victory over the Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E.

Today, Hanukkah or Chanukah is celebrated with lighting of candles on eight consecutive nights. A lot of traditions are played during the season including Jewish children games a popular Hanukkah game is spinning the dreidel, traditional foods usually  fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot (Latkes are pancakes made out of potatoes and onions, which are fried in oil and then served with applesauce. Sufganiyot (singular: sufganiyah) are jelly-filled donuts that are fried and sometimes dusted with confectioners’ sugar before eating) - and exchange gifts. Over the years Hanukkah has become much more festive and Christmas-like festival.

Hanukkah is one of the less important Jewish holidays, this is according to Jewish law. However, it has become more popular in modern practice because of its proximity to Christmas season.

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