Holidays are an important element of culture. There are many holidays that are celebrated in the United States and around the world. The only United States holidays are Fourth of July and Thanksgiving. However, the holidays of Christmas and Hanukkah are celebrated all over the world. Hanukkah was a wonderful holiday because of the story behind this holiday. Hanukkah has much religious significance but it is also much fun as well. Hanukkah is also known as the Festival of Lights or the Festival of Rededication which is a eight day holiday beginning on the 25th day of Kislev which can happen in very late November or throughout December. When Hanukkah begins in the last week of December, it continues into the following January. The festival is observed in Jewish homes by the lighting candles on each of the festival’s eight nights, one candle on the first night of Hanukkah, two candles the second night and so on. As stated before, the dates of the Hanukkah celebration varies year to year. For Instance in 2006, Hanukkah started on December 15th at sunset and ended December 23rd at sunset. In addition this year, 2007, Hanukkah starts at sunset on December 4th and ends at sunset on December 12th. Moreover, in 2008, Hanukkah begins at sunset on December 21st and concludes at sunset on December 29th.

There is a religious side and a celebratory side to Hanukkah. The story of Hanukkah goes as follows. The Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The temple of Jerusalem was purified and the wicks of the Menorah miraculously burned for eight when in reality it only had enough oil for one day of burning, thus the miracle of about Hanukkah. Hanukkah has many celebratory traditions as well. Hanukkah begins with the lighting of candles in a special Hanukkah menorah in a visible location such as the kitchen. But, never leave candles burning unattended. People can also play the dreidel game for money or other things such as candy or chocolate coins. The foods of about Hanukkah are delicious too. There are potato latkes which are potato pancakes and jelly doughnuts. I have eaten blueberry and cheese blintzes during the wonderful Jewish holiday of about Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a great Jewish holiday that is lots of fun with plenty of Historical and religious significance however; Hanukkah doesn’t have as much importance such as Rosh Hashanah, Passover, and Yom Kippur. Purim has the same importance as Hanukkah. Passover starts in March or April and Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are in September or October. The foods and beverages eaten and drank for Passover, Hanukkah, and Rosh Hashanah are delicious and refreshing. I love baked apples, matzo ball soup, and roast beef. I also love sweet and sour meatballs and stuffed chicken plus lamb chops. But Yom Kippur requires that Jews fast from sundown to sundown for one day. Thank goodness. Yom Kippur goes against the Jewish culture of food; however Yom Kippur gives Jewish people to ask for forgiveness from those people who they believe they have hurt throughout the year; thereby cleansing themselves by fasting. I love the Jewish holidays especially about Hanukkah.