The enlightening tale behind the festival of Hanukkah

Jews across the globe pay homage by lighting candles for eight days.

The miracle of Hanukkah occurred approximately 22 centuries ago on the 25th day of Kislev 3591, when the Hashmonaim, family of Kohanim, reconquered the Holy Temple from the Greeks, regained their freedom to practice sacred duties, and found pure oil that miraculously burned for eight days.

Observance of Hanukkah begins

Our sages recognised the importance of this miracle and declared Hanukkah as "Days of Praise and Thanksgiving to the Almighty". Every Jewish household must celebrate by lighting the Hanukkiah (or Menorah) to symbolise the eight days during which the oil burned miraculously.

These days are to be celebrated with happiness and joy. While there is no obligation to make feasts or a commemorative dinner, it is fitting to sing traditional hymns - pizmonim and zemirot - during the meals on these days. Some homes prepare all kinds of pastries such as mamul, gheraibe, karabij, sambusak, (borekas), sufganiot (fried doughnuts), etc.

One may not engage in any activity one half an hour before Hanukkiah lighting time, such as eating a meal, studying, or any other activity that might distract one from lighting the Hanukkiah on time. It is customary for women to refrain from doing housework on the first and last day of Hanukkah, especially during Rosh Hodesh, including the first half hour after the Hanukkiah is lit. Some say that even men should refrain from doing any work during that time, but one may be lenient for men when it is necessary. Hanukkah presents and gifts are not a Sephardic custom.

The lighting ceremony

Both men and women are obligated to light the Hanukkiah. It is the Sephardic custom that the father lights for the entire family. In the absence of the father, the mother should take the responsibility upon herself to light. Children even above the age of bar or bat mitzvah may participate by lighting the additional candles of a given night, while those under five years of age can only light the shamash (extra candle).