Menorah fully lit on the eighth day of Chanukah.
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Chanukah is a celebration of a great miracle. After the Holy Temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed from the Syrians, it needed to be cleansed and partially rebuilt.
Under the leadership of Judas Maccabeus, the Temple was rebuilt and cleansed.
When the time came to rededicate the Temple, the workers found only one vial of sanctified oil. More oil was needed to keep the lamp burning.
According to tradition, it would take eight days to travel to the nearest village to get more oil.
Without waiting for more oil, the eternal lamp was lit.
The rededication of the Temple was celebrated for eight days using a special Chanukah menorah that has eight candles plus the shamash, or servant candle. Each night the shamash is lit and is used to light the other candles. One candle is lit on the first night, two on the second night and continuing until the eight days are complete.
Miraculously, the lamp did not burn out during those eight days.
This is the basic history behind the Festival of Lights. You'll learn about this and more at the Chanukah party. The party will be led by Sashie Levertov, of Chabad Lubavitch of Arizona.
A game related to the holiday is a form of gambling game. It is played by spinning a four-sided top called a dreidel. A Hebrew letter is inscribed on each side of the dreidel. The letters are Nun, Gimel, Hei, and Shin. The meaning of this is "A Great Miracle happened there."
One of the traditional foods served during Chanukah are delicious potato pancakes known as Latke. They are served with sour cream and applesauce. It is interesting that Andy Kaufman's character in Taxi was named Latka. It was an inside joke from Mr. Kaufman's Jewish background.
If you want to know more, come to the party at Border's on Sunday, December 13th. Happy Chanukah!
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