This eight-day festival of lights is celebrated by Jewish people around the world.
Hanukkah commemorates the recapturing by the Maccabees, a group of Jewish freedom fighters, of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been turned into a place of idol worship by the Greek occupiers. In order to cleanse and rededicate the holy space, they needed oil to light the menorah (a special type of lamp used in the temple), which had to burn continuously. Unfortunately, they only had enough oil for one night, but miraculously, the flame in the menorah burned for eight nights, long enough for them to replenish the supply of oil. The festival of Hanukkah is celebrated in modern times by lighting candles and eating foods that have been cooked in oil, such as jelly donuts and potato pancakes.
To help celebrate, we’ve selected three books that take place during Hanukkah.
