Israel Events and Festivals

12/11/2009 - 12/19/2009Hanukkah or Chanukah (Festival of Lights)

The annual Festival of Lights is a Jewish celebration that dates back to the start of Christianity. It remembers the victory of the Maccabees over the Syrian Greeks when the religious city of Jerusalem was retaken and the temple rededicated. When the Maccabees tried to relight the menorah (the eight-branched temple candelabrum) there was only enough oil to last for one day, but miraculously, it is said to have burnt for eight full days. To this day the lighting of the menorah is a central ritual of this deeply religious festival which is seen as the triumph of Judaism over persecution. The festival begins on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev (November or December) and lasts for eight days during which time families, friends and loved ones get together to pray, eat and play traditional games.