From Encyclopædia Britannica Online: "Hanukkah, (Hebrew: “Dedication”) also spelled Ḥanukka, Chanukah, or Chanukkah, also called Feast of Dedication, Festival of Lights, or Feast of the Maccabees, [is a] Jewish festival that begins on Kislev 25 (usually in December [or late November], according to the Gregorian calendar) and is celebrated for eight days. Hanukkah reaffirms the ideals of Judaism and commemorates in particular the rededication of the Second Temple of Jerusalem by the lighting of candles on each day of the festival. Although not mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, Hanukkah came to be widely celebrated and remains one of the most popular Jewish religious observances."
Hanukkah
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Hanukkah, the eight day festival of lights, is one of the more joyous holidays in the Jewish calendar and has become among the more widely celebrated. It is particular favourite of children. Marking the first triumphant struggle ever waged for freedom of religion, Hanukkah has been a constant beacon of hope during the years fo travail in the Diaspora.