posted on December 22, 2000 06:24:54 PMpreacher4u: It used to be a fairly minor holiday, but has increased in popularity. The short version: The Jews under Maccabee were fighting the Syrians, beat them after quite a while, and the temple had been torn up. There was only 1 day's worth of lamp oil, and it took 7 days to prepare it. Well, they lighted the 1 day's worth, and it lasted for 8 days.
We light the candles in the menorah every night, starting with 1 candle and the shamash, adding one candle each night. Play spin the dreidl, and the kids get Hanukah gelt (little chocolate coins). And I make latkes (the best potato pancakes you ever tasted) with a little applesauce!!!
Yum!
from me too.