What Does Chanukah Celebrate?
Chanukah celebrates two things: • firstly, the victory of the Judeans over the Syrian-Greek army who attempted to destroy Judaism in the second century B.C.E., and, • secondly, while the Maccabees were under siege in the Temple they had enough oil for their holy lamp for one day. In the event, the oil actually burned for eight days. This is commemorated each year by the lighting of the Chanukiah, a nine-branched candelabrum.Lighting the Chanukah Candles At sunset on the first evening of the festival one candle is lit. On the second, two candles, and so on, until all eight candles are alight. The ninth candle is the servant (shamash) who lights the other eight. The lighting ceremony is accompanied by blessings and singing and the whole atmosphere is joyful. In some parts of London (and other cities around the world) Jewish communities place a king-sized Chanukiah on the streets and freshly-fried hot doughnuts are handed out to passers by. Many other traditions are associated with this f
