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Background: Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt. The festival usually falls in November or December and is celebrated by Jews around the world, including a small population in India.
History: Jewish communities have been present in India for centuries, with some records dating back to the time of King Solomon. These communities include the Bene Israel, Cochin Jews, Baghdadi Jews, and others who have settled in various parts of India over time. Despite their diverse origins and traditions, they all celebrate Hanukkah.
Traditions: On the first day of Hanukkah in India:
Menorah Lighting: The central feature is lighting the first candle on the menorah after nightfall. The menorah holds nine candles: one for each night plus a shamash (servant) used to light the others.
Prayers: Special prayers are recited during this time, including blessings over the candles and 'Hallel' prayers during morning services.
Foods: Traditional foods fried in oil are enjoyed to symbolize the oil that miraculously burned for eight days. In India, local versions of these foods might include items like "jalebi" or "sufganiyot," which are similar to donuts.
Dreidel Game: A popular activity is playing with a dreidel (a four-sided spinning top), which has Hebrew letters on it representing "A great miracle happened there."
Community Gatherings: Jewish communities may organize events such as public menorah lightings or get-togethers where people share meals and songs.
In summary, while Hanukkah is not widely celebrated across India due to a relatively small Jewish population, those who observe it maintain a blend of traditional practices infused with local Indian culture.
