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Happy Hanukkah everyone! The word Hanukkah means dedication, and the holiday is also referred to as “The Festival of Lights.” The reason that it is a festival of lights is because of the story of Hanukkah. Way back in 165 BC in Jerusalem, there was a revolt of people who fought to reclaim their Temple, or holy place, from another group of people who had taken it away.

The Jewish people were so happy to get their Temple back, that they decided to rededicate it with a celebration. According to their legend, there was only one jar of oil left to burn and it would last for one day. However, the oil ended up burning for eight days, and the people celebrated for those eight days.

From this legend came the tradition of the candle lighting. The Jewish people have a special candleholder called a menorah. The picture you see above is a menorah, and the four candles on each side represent one day of Hanukkah. But, if Hanukkah is an eight day celebration, why are there nine candles? Well, the middle candle is called the shamash and it is lit on the first night. The shamash is used to light the other candles. So, on the first night of Hanukkah, two candles are lit, the shamash and the candle for the first night. On the last night there are nine candles are lit.

During the festivities, the Jewish people play traditional games and enjoy lots of traditional and delicious food including potato latkes and sufganiot or jelly doughnuts. It is traditional to eat foods fried in oil as a symbol of the oil that burned for eight days. Also during this time, children receive gifts or money each night for the eight nights. And in Israel, children get to take a full week off from school to celebrate this special holiday. All of the Chevron Cars wish all of you who celebrate this wonderful holiday a very happy Hanukkah!