Celebrating Hanukkah – The Jewish Festival of Lights

Hanukkah is observed on the 25th day of the third month in the Hebrew lunar calendar. The word Hanukkah means “dedication,” which refers to the rededication of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in the year 165 BCE in the Hebrew calendar. At one point, the sacred temple had fallen into ruin. The Jewish people repaired the whole structure. After the restoration was completed, they dedicated it to God once again. There was only a small container of pure olive oil sufficient to light the menorah for only one night, but it stayed alight for eight straight nights! The sages of the Jewish faith appointed these eight days for an annual celebration. Hanukkah is called the Festival of Lights, to symbolize the triumph of light over darkness.