The Story of Hanukkah and Modern Traditions by Sylvia Kloian

History
I know that not many of you  know the story of Hanukkah, so I thought that this would be a great opportunity to tell it. Around 200 B.C.E., the Jews of Judea (Israel) were ruled by Alexander the Great. Alexander was very religiously tolerant, and even though he was polytheistic, he allowed the Jews to practice in peace. After Alexander died, Antiochus III, a Syrian king, took over. He was not as kind as Judea's previous ruler. He sent soldiers into villages that used force to make the Jews worship the Greek gods. There was a family in Judea called the Maccabees. Mattathias (the head of the family) and his five sons (most famously, Judah) rebelled against the soldiers forcing Greek religion upon them, and soon enough, they had gathered enough followers to make an army. The war that then ensued was long--three years--but in the end, it was worth it. The Jews eventually won, but their sacred Temple had been destroyed in the battle. This included the holy lamp that usually burned all day and night. A new lamp was fetched, but the only oil that the Jews could find to light it was a small jar that was bound to only last them one day. Miraculously, it survived for eight. This is why there are eight nights of Hanukkah. This year, the first night happens to fall on Christmas Eve. The menorah has 9 spots for 9 candles. The middle spot is for the candle called the shamash candle. It is the only one that is lit every single night, and is used to light the other candles. On the first day, we use the shamash to light the far right candle. Every night, one more candle is lit than the night before, continuing from right to left. After the candles are lit, we say (or sing) a prayer in Hebrew: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu, l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein) Although Hanukkah is the most well known Jewish holiday among non-Jewish people, it is one of the least important. It does not have heavy religious implications, as does Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah, it is a holiday that is meant to be a fun celebration--a Festival of Lights.

Modern Traditions
This year, the first night happens to fall on Christmas Eve. The menorah is usually lit after a dinner that consists of lots of fried foods (to represent the oil) like latkes and jelly donuts. This candle-holder of sorts has 9 spots for 9 candles. The middle spot is for the candle called the shamash candle. It is the only one that is lit every single night, and is used to light the other candles. On the first night, we use the shamash to light the far right candle. For the next seven nights, one more candle is lit than the night before, continuing from right to left. After the candles are lit, we say (or sing) a prayer in Hebrew: Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu, melekh ha'olam, asher kidishanu b'mitz'votav v'tzivanu, l'had'lik neir shel Chanukah. (Amein) Then any presents are given, usually children get one present each night. My family usually plays dreidel, a game that uses a spinning top that has four sides (Gimmel, Nun, Shin, and Hey) to win money or chocolate gelt. If anyone has any questions or is curious about anything, feel free to ask me!