TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - This evening at sundown, Jewish families will gather around their menorah to light a candle on the first night of Hanukkah.
Hanukkah is an 8 day festival of lights that has been celebrated since 167 B.C.
The tradition began 2,000 years ago when a small group of Jewish people, called the Maccabees, fought the mighty Greek army. The Greeks prohibited Jews from practicing their religion and the group's dedication to freedom of religion led them to overcome their greatest darkness.
The traditional lighting of the menorah represents the miracle of one day's oil that lasted 8 days.
Rabbi Oirechman says important traditions are the menorah lighting at night fall, giving Hanukkah money to children and teaching them how to use it, and eating special foods, such as latke.
