A happy Hanukkah

Today is the first day of Hanukkah. 

The eight-day Jewish celebration commemorates the rededication during the 2nd Century B.C. of the Second Temple in Jerusalem where, according to legend and belief, Jews rose up against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in what became known as the Maccabean Revolt. 

The eight candles on the menorah candelabra that are lighted during this celebration symbolize the number of days the Temple lantern blazed. The ninth candle, the shamash, is a "helper candle" used to light the others. 

After sundown during the eight days of Hanukkah, families light one candle on the first day, two on the second, and so on, while reciting prayers and singing songs. 

Hanukkah runs through Monday, December 26.

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