2010 Jewish Festivals: Hanukkah

This year, Hannukah will commence on the evening of 1st December. Though Hannukah is frequently compared to the Christian Christmas festival, it actually commemorates a different event – that of the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek/Syrian leaders of Jerusalem in around 164BCE. The temple was “rededicated” at this time and famously, a single day’s worth of oil was able to burn for eight days.

Because of this, the theme of light is important and the festival is often referred to as the ‘festival of lights’ or ‘feast of lights’. A 9-candeled candelabra is lit to commemorate the miracle, one new candle being lit on each subsequent night of the festival.

Sticking with the oil theme, food fried in oil is also traditionally eaten at Hannukah. Pancakes are quite often eaten – the traditional recipe containing potatoes and served with apple sauce.

As a nod to the other big festival at this time of year – Christmas – it’s now becoming more and more popular to give gifts.However, it is not normal for gifts to be exchanged with anyone but other family members.

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