Menorahs Shine Bright on the 8th Night of Hanukkah
Tonight is the 8th–and last–night of Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. Jewish families around the world will gather just after dark and light every candle on their menorahs as they commemorate the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem where, according to legend, the Maccabees successfully rebelled against Antiochus IV Epiphanes and the wicks of their menorah miraculously burned for eight days, even though there was only enough sacred oil for one day’s lighting.
In addition to the traditional candle lighting, some families exchange gifts, sing Hanukkah songs, eat foods baked in oil such as latkes (potato pancakes) & sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), and play a gambling game with a dreidel for chocolate foil-wrapped coins called gelt.