Hanukkah is the annual Jewish festival of rededication, celebrated on eight successive days beginning on the 25th day of Kislev, the third month of the Jewish calendar. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights. It commemorates the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem by Judas Maccabee in 165 BC.
Today, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting candles every night, thus commemorating the eight-day miracle. The only religious observance related to the holiday is the lighting of candles. Candles are arranged in a candelabrum called a menorah that holds nine candles: one for each night, plus a center candle of a different height called a shammus. Menorahs come in all shapes and sizes. The menorah used today resembles the holy Temple's menorah and started to appear towards the end of the Middle Ages.
Latkes are a traditional dish served during Hanukkah. They are potato pancakes made from grated potatoes mixed with eggs, onions, and flour, then fried in vegetable oil.
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