Hanukkah is a traditional Jewish holiday, which is celebrated in 8 days from 25 Kislev (November-December). This is a holiday of candles, which pays tribute to the day of liberation of the Temple of Jerusalem, its sanctification and purification.
History of Chanukah
To understand what the Jewish holiday of Chanukah means, you can only follow the history that stands behind its formation. After the overthrow of Alexander the Great, the reign of Judah passed into the hands of the Egyptians, and then of the Greeks, and if during the reign of the first, the policy of non-interference in the Jewish religious life established by the Macedonian was followed, then with the arrival of the Greeks, attempts were made to infringe and impose their own traditions. Soon Judaism was completely banned, the reading of the Torah and life under Jewish law were brutally punished by the then authorities, everywhere only Greek idols were established. Soon the Jerusalem Temple was captured. Such harassment could not last long, the rebel people's movement was formed, under the leadership of Jehuya Maccabee. From month to month, a small and inexperienced people's army, smashed small groups of Greek soldiers, slowly reclaiming their lands. Upon reaching the Temple Mount, the rebels overthrew the Greek idols and lit the oil for the lamp, which, despite its small number, burned for eight days. Since then, Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days, lighting up candles every day.
Chanukah Celebration
What is Hanukkah from the Jews, we have already figured out, so now we move on to the traditions of celebration. As I mentioned earlier, throughout the entire Chanukah, Jews are lit candles: on the first day one candle is lit, in the second - two, in the third - three and so on. In total during the holiday 44 candles are used, considering the one from which the fire comes. It is necessary to do this every time
The traditions of Hanukkah do not imply the existence of holidays during the holiday, only children rest from school, but Hanukkah is called a "children's holiday" not only for this, because in all eight days, parents should give their children money and toys. During the Hanukkah period, children usually play with a special top with an engraved inscription "A miracle is great here." Among the traditional Hanukkah dishes, the most notable are potato pancakes made from tubers, eggs, matzo and spices.