What is Hanukkah in a nutshell?

Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by the Syrian-Greek army in the second century BCE. The holiday is celebrated for eight days and nights, usually in December, and begins on the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev.

During Hanukkah, Jews light a special nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah, adding one candle each night until all eight are lit. They also recite special prayers, sing songs, and play games with a spinning top called a dreidel.

The holiday is also marked by the eating of foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), to commemorate the miracle of a small amount of oil that burned for eight days in the Holy Temple’s lampstand.

Hanukkah is a time of joy and celebration, as well as a reminder of the importance of perseverance, faith, and hope in the face of adversity. The holiday is also an opportunity to celebrate the enduring strength of the Jewish people and their commitment to their faith and traditions.