Hanukkah "Festival Of Lights" Begins At Sundown
MIAMI (CBS4) - Jews around the world, including South Florida, will begin celebrating Hanukkah Wednesday night at sundown.
It is the holiday in which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of Syria, and the subsequent liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Hanukkah celebrates religious and cultural freedom, and it's a joyous time for families, especially kids.
According to the holiday story, the Jews had only a little bit of holy oil when they relit the menorah, or candle holder, in their holiest temple. They didn't think it could last eight days, the time it would take to make new holy oil. But miraculously, it did, and that is why the holiday has eight days.
It's also why Jews light one candle on the menorah for eight nights in a row.
Hanukkah, also known as the Jewish Festival of Lights, will be celebrated through sundown December 8th.
Traditionally, families sing holiday songs, tell stories, eat potato latkes (pancakes), play games with a dreidel, which is a traditional Hanukkah game, and exchange gifts.
