Key Points
Hanukkah is a Judaism's cherished 'Festival of Lights.' Discover the essence and traditions of Hanukkah and the diverse ways it is celebrated across the globe...
Hanukkah also spelled Chanukah or other transliterations from Hebrew is Judaisms festival of lights..
In Hebrew, Hanukkah means dedication, and the holiday marks the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in the 2nd century BC, after a small group of Jewish fighters liberated it from occupying foreign forces..
The ritual of lighting a nightly candle, as well as the emphasis on cooking foods in oil such as potato pancakes called latkes, memorialize this miraculously long-lasting oil..
In addition to menorah lightings, giving to charity and social works are also part of the celebration for many, reflecting the belief that the Jewish people are called by God to help make the world better for all..
