It is spelled several different ways: Hannukah...Hanukkah...but the significance of the word cannot be changed by an extra consonant or vowel. Hannukah is commonly known as the "Festival of Lights". And it is a celebration literally as old as time itself and recognized by men and women of the Jewish faith all over the world.

Hannukah and Hanukkah translate to "dedication". Traditionally, this Jewish festival begins on the Hebrew calendar date of the 25th of Kislev. Hannukah and Hanukkah (depending on the region, the word may include an extra "n" or "k') lasts eight days, through the 2nd of Tevet. Those Hebrew dates fall on different day throughout November and December. This year - 2005 - Hannukah begins on December 25th and lasts through January 1st.

Although the historical roots of Hannukah concern itself with the battle between the Maccabees over the Syrians, the actual significance of the eight-candle Menorah lends itself to the fact that when the Maccabees re-dedicated their temple after the battle, they found on the mount only one jar of (sacramental) lamp oil. Typically, one jar of oil would last for one day, but incredibly this jar burned for eight days. And so it is that the Hannukah celebration lasts for eight days.

Getting back to the significance of referring to Hannukah as the "Festival of Light", the candle-lighting ceremony is certainly the most important past of the Hannukah celebration. Men and women of the Jewish faith light candles in the special Menorah also referred to by some as a "hanukkiah". Every night, an additional candle is lit, always with the middle candle which is called the "shamash". So, on the first night of Hannukah, two candles are actually lit, the first in the menorah and the middle candle -- the shamash. This particular practice varies. Not everyone recognizes the middle candle. In other parts of the world the candle from the previous night is used to light the next candle. 

Regardless, the candles are left to their own devices and stay lit until they burn out.

But Hannukah isn't just about candles. It's about eating traditional foods and exchanging gifts. During the Hannukah celebration, tradition calls for different foods to be fried in oil. Two of the most popular items are potato latkes and jelly doughnuts. Fried fish is also a big item on many menus.

Another Hannukah tradition is the game of "dreidel". A dreidel is kind of like a four-sided dye or box. On each side is a symbol and each symbol corresponds to a word which ultimately spells out the phrase "nes gadol haya po" ("A great miracle happened here"). However, dreidel is a gambling game, so apart from the significance of the symbols and words, each side of the square also represents an amount of money.

While the adults are playing driedel, the children usually party, exchange gifts and sign traditional songs. One gift in particular is cherished - the gift of "gelt" or money! 

It may be eight simple days and one simple candle, but Hannukah is still going strong after more than 2,000 years. Re-uniting a culture and its people as they give thanks to the past but praise the opportunities that surely lie ahead.