Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, is a Jewish holiday lasting eight nights. This holiday always begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar. The tradition of Hanukkah first started in 164 BCE when the Jews successfully revolted against the Seleucid monarchy. As part of Hanukkah, families light a candle of a menorah and receive presents each of the eight nights. During the rededication of the second temple, the Jews believed they had witnessed a miracle when the oil they meant to last one night instead lasted eight days. Since oil was a central part of the Hanukkah miracle, eating fried foods in oil has become a tradition. Hanukkah is one of the most significant holidays in the Jewish community and is celebrated by many. So, as the Jewish would say, “Hanukkah sameach!” or “Happy Hanukkah!”
