December 10, 2012 It’s Hanukkah! This year, the holiday is
celebrated from sundown December 8 through December 16. The
Festival of Lights, as it is also known, commemorates the
rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second
century BCE. This glorious event occurred after a small band of
devout Jews, led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers, defeated
the pagan Syrian army and ended their occupation. When the
temple was rededicated, there was only enough oil for one night,
yet it burned for eight—which explains the miracle of Hanukkah
and why the holiday’s celebrated over eight nights. Today when
we celebrate Hanukkah, we say our prayers and light a new candle
for each of the eight nights using a special menorah, the
hanukkiah. Each night also brings one new gift, which can range
from simple and homemade to elaborate and expensive. Preparing
delicious food for family and friends is also an important part
of this holiday. Since oil is a prominent part of the story of
Hanukkah, tasty foods such as latke