Hanukkah is a word that would be vague for most of us. What really is Hanukkah and why is it celebrated? Hanukkah is "festival of lights" commemorated by all the Jews around the world. It is celebrated for eight days and nights and begins on 25 Kislev of the Jewish calendar.

For this year, Hanukkah starts on sunset of Dec. 16 and will end on Dec. 24. About.com says that Hanukkah is a word that means "dedication" in Hebrew.

Hanukkah is celebrated to remember the re-dedication of the temple in Jerusalem after the Jews won over Syrian-Greeks in 165 B.C.E. to claim their religious freedom. Legend tells that during the mêlée, the Jewish people have oil that can only last for one night. But miracle happened and it lasted for eight nights.

Hanukkah for the Jews is the time to commemorate the victory of spirituality over materiality, of purity over adulteration, and of light over darkness.

Significance of Hanukkah:

Hanukkah is a simple tradition celebrated by the Jews. However, in modern times, it claims popularity as it is celebrated days before Christmas. Hanukkah falls on a different day every year depending on the 25^th day of the Jewish calendar.

Since a large population of the Jews lives in Christian communities, Hanukkah is celebrated like Christmas. Children receive a gift for a period of eight nights.

Hanukkah Menorah

Hanukkah menorah is the candelabrum that holds nine candles that are lighted every night for eight nights. The candle in the middle is called the Shamash that means "attendant" and is used to light the other candles.

Hanukkah Traditions:

Eating Fried Foods

Since Jews belong to different communities, there are varied ways on which Hanukkah is celebrated. But the most common of all the traditions are eating fried foods, lighting the hanukkiyah and spinning the dreidel.

Fried foods are eaten during the holiday to commemorate the significance of oil in Hanukkah. Latkes and Sufganiyot are fried foods that are usually prepared and eaten during eight days and eight nights. Sufganiyot are fried donuts filled with jellies and are coated with confectioners' sugar.

Latkes are pancakes fried in oil and served with applesauce. It is made from potatoes and onions.

Lighting the Hanukkiyah

Hanukkiyah is the traditional candelabrum consisting of eight candleholders with an extra candleholder designed above the rest of the candleholders. In every Hanukkah, hanukkiyah is lighted to commemorate the Hanukkah oil.

Spinning the dreidel

In every Hanukkah celebration, it would be incomplete without spinning the dreidel. It is a traditional game wherein Hebrew letters were written on each side of the dreidel. Children enjoy playing this and usually involve raisins, nuts, candy and most especially pot of gelt, chocolate coins that is covered with tin foil.

Hanukkah is sometimes called as Chanukkah or Chanukah.

#Happy Hanukkah!
Here are some of the latest Hanukkah celebrations around the world: