Hanukkah

The Hebrew interpretation of the name of this 8 day Jewish holiday was thought to mean “dedication”, or “education” in the old days. It was created to celebrate the rededication of the Second Temple in the Jewish city of Jerusalem. Hanukkah starts on the 25th day of Kislev from the Hebrew calendar, and may start during late November to late December on the Gregorian calendar. During the festival, one candle is lit each night. An extra light called a shamash, (Hebrew for “guard”) is also lit again and again for every night. This extra light is lit to ensure that the occasion does not descend into public mockery. At the end of the holiday, the total number of candles lit is 44.