Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights commemorates the consecration of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
It falls on the 25th day of Kislev which is near the Winter Solstice - The Birth of the Sun in Pagan religions.
Its observance involves the lighting of the Menorah or nine-branch candlestick.
One candle is lit on each night of the eight day period* from the central candle - the Shamash or helper.
This is also a Light festival and it falls near Christmas which is the day we celebrate the Light of Jesus born into the world.
* The candles of the menorah had miraculously lasted for eight days with only one day's oil.
Photo Credit: drake lelane Flickr via Compfight cc
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