Hanukkah

Culture of origin: Jewish · Cultural

Holiday sources: Iran · Israel · Judaism

Hanukkah ("dedication") recalls the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE, when the Maccabees recovered Jerusalem and rededicated the Second Temple. On each of its eight nights a nine-branched menorah is lit, one more light each night, with the shamash candle used to light the others. Dreidel games and fried foods such as latkes and sufganiyot belong to the festival. It is the only Jewish holiday that begins in one month (Kislev) and ends in another (Tevet).