The festival of lights, Chanukah is without doubt the most aesthetically pleasing of all festivals (not that looks are everything). Lasting for eight days, Chanukah commemorates the battle of the Maccabees against the Syrians, an astounding struggle against a more powerful opponent. Massively outnumbered, the Maccabees took to the hills to fight a guerilla war which resulted in the Syrians withdrawal. When the victorious Maccabees reached the temple, they found it ransacked, and the Everlasting Light, which should burn continuously in the synagogue, only had enough oil in it for one day. But the oil lasted for eight days until new supplies could be found, and to mark this miracle we light candles each day over the festival. The candelabra we use is called a Chanukiah, different to the Menorah as it has two more branches, nine in total.
But this is not just about lighting candles - Chanukah is about struggle, oppresion and freedom. It is about struggle of wronged people, of divine help in an hour of need. It is the essence of the Jewish way of thought.
Chanukah is especially a good festival for children. As well as receiving Chanukah gelt, which is a monetary present, they get to play with a dreidl, a spinning top with four marked sides, each of which have relevance to a gambling game.