Chanukah commemorates the Maccabee's victory over Hellenistic oppressors in 165 B.C.E., following which the oil lamp in the Temple miraculously burned for eight days.
Chanukah – or the Jewish “Festival of Lights” begins at sunset on December 4th this year (2007) and ends at sunset on December 12th. The festival – which my Jewish friends remind me – is actually one of the minor holidays in the Jewish religious calendar, but coming as close to Christmas as it does, and having the giving of presents, lighting of candles and (of course) eating special holidays foods as part of the celebration, it has taken on more and more significance over the centuries – especially in western countries that celebrate Christmas around the same time.
The holiday commemorates the time in 165 B.C.E., when the Jewish Maccabees, led by the Chashmonaim, defeated the Greeks and their Hellenist allies and regained controlled of their country. As part of the ritual purification of the Temple following their victory, they were supposed to burn an oil lamp continuously for eight days. But they only actually had enough oil to keep the lamp lit for a single day. Miraculously, the lamp burned for eight days anyway (The Miracle of the Oil).
Now, as well all know, there is no better way to solidify the meaning and intent of a ritual act by linking it with specific foods – and Chanukah is no exception. In this case, the emphasis becomes foods that are cooked using oil (like potato latkes and special jelly donuts called sufaganiot)
Check out some of these sites out all things “Chanukah” – including family activities and special recipes for the holiday. I will also be posting a few of my friends “child-centric” recipes for family Chanukah fun on Suite101:
http://www.chiff.com/home_life/holiday/hanukkah.htm
