In the Jewish religion, it is the eight day festival of lights celebrated in December.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem during the reign of Antiochus IV. Antiochus persecuted Jews, prohibited them from practicing their religion and desecrated their Temple. Two groups opposed to Antiochus launched a successful revolt and reclaimed the Temple. The menorah (candelabra) in the Temple needed to stay lit every night, but when rededicating the Temple, the people found only enough oil to keep it burning for one night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights, a long enough period for more oil to be prepared. In commemoration, an eight day festival of lights was declared for the 25th day of the Jewish month of Kislev, which falls in December.
Although it is not one of the more important religious holidays, Hanukkah is among the better known Jewish celebrations, perhaps because of its proximity to Christmas. The lighting of the menorah is the only religious observance associated with the holiday. Because of the role that oil plays in the holiday, it is customary to eat fried foods, including latkes (potato pancakes). Traditions also include gifts of small amounts of money to young children and the dreidel, a gambling game that is played for pennies or chocolates.