As Christmas nears, many Americans begin to jump into the Christmas spirit and decorate their residences, but a large quantity of celebrators forget about another smaller but historically equally significant festivity—Hanukkah (or Chanukah), also known as the Festival of Rededication or the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah generally takes place in December, at the time of year when days are shortest in the Northern Hemisphere, and celebrates in a joyous fashion the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem after its defilement by the Syrian Greeks in the second century BCE.

Origins of Hanukkah 

In early 167 BCE, The Jews of Judea rose up against King Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Three years later, in the autumn of 164 BCE, Judea and his faithful follower were able to capture the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a pagan shrine, and  rededicated it to Israel’s God. The length of the festival—eight days—is attributed by rabbinic tradition to the eight-day-long burning of a miraculously small quantity of oil during the cleansing of the temple.

How to Celebrate Hanukkah at Home

Hanukkah is commonly celebrated by playing with a dreidel—a top dedicated to the holiday—and consuming  foods unique to Hanukkah, such as the Chanukah party surprise cake, rugelach, and Hanukkah gelt. Some celebrators also sing Hanukkah songs or exchange gifts. By far the most well-known and acclaimed tradition, however, is the lighting of the menorah.

Explaining the Menorah

Described in the Bible as the seven-branched ancient “lampstand” made and used in the Moses’ sanctuary in the wilderness—and later in the Temple of Jerusalem, the Menorah is a significant trademark of Jewish culture and religion, being present even on the official state seal of Israel. In the present day, the Chanukah menorah is typically composed of nine arms, where eight of hold candles which represent the miracle days of oil burning and the ninth holds a candle which is used to light the others. Fresh, pure olive oil is burned daily during the holiday to light these lamps.