Chanukah, meaning “dedication” in Hebrew, refers to the joyous eight-day celebration during which Jews commemorate the victory of the Maccabees over the armies of the Seleucid Empire in 165BCE and the subsequent liberation and rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Today the celebration of Chanukah centers in the home around the lighting of a special menorah for Chanukah, called a chanukiyah; eating certain foods prepared in oil; and special songs and games.