We are today in the second of the eight days commemorating the miracle of the oil as depicted in this beautiful photograph produced by award-winning Jessica Gwozdz, intertwinning the menorah lights with the christmas tree lights in the background.

Starting on December 11th, at evening time, one kindles the Hanukkah light of the Menorah, a nine branch candelabrum, and does this until December 19th to comply with the ritual.

The lights can be candles or oil lamps. Electric lights are sometimes used and are acceptable in places where open flame is not permitted, such as a hospital room. Most Jewish homes have a special candelabrum or oil lamp holder for Hanukkah, which holds eight lights plus the additional shamash light.

The reason for the Hanukkah lights is not for the “lighting of the house within”, but rather for the “illumination of the house without,” so that passers-by should see it and be reminded of the holiday’s miracle.

The festival of Hanukkah was instituted by Judah Maccabee and his brothers to celebrate this event. After recovering Jerusalem and the Temple, Judah ordered the Temple to be cleansed, a new altar to be built in place of the polluted one and new holy vessels to be made. According to the Talmud, olive oil was needed for the menorah in the Temple, which was required to burn throughout the night every night. But there was only enough oil to burn for one day, yet miraculously, it burned for eight days, the time needed to prepare a fresh supply of oil for the menorah. An eight day festival was declared by the Jewish sages to commemorate this miracle. Source: Wikipedia

Traditionally, the “potato pancakes”, known as “latkes” in Yiddish, are cooked during the celebration period, and fried in oil just like the jam-filled doughnuts. Candies created with olive oil are also very popular during the festivities!

Don’t forget your dog…feed him as a treat the Pawsitively Gourmet Menorah Cookies for Dogs. They are made with palm kernel oil. 

Happy Hanukkah!