Last Day of Chanukah in the United States

The Last Day of Chanukah, also known as Hanukkah or the Festival of Lights, marks the conclusion of an eight-day Jewish celebration. This holiday commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C., where Jews rose against their Greek-Syrian oppressors in the Maccabean Revolt.

History and Traditions:

• Miracle of the Oil: Central to Chanukah is the miracle where a day's worth of oil burned for eight days in the temple's menorah (candelabrum).
• Menorah Lighting: Each night, an additional candle is lit on the menorah with a special blessing. By the last day, all eight candles plus the helper candle – called a "Shamash" – are lit.
• Dreidel Game: Children often play with a dreidel (a spinning top), which has four Hebrew letters representing "A great miracle happened there."
• Foods: Traditional foods fried in oil, such as latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts), are enjoyed to honor the miracle of oil.

Activities on Last Day:

• Menorah Lighting: The final lighting ceremony is conducted with all candles ablaze.
• Prayers: Special prayers like Hallel (praises) and Al HaNissim (about miracles) are recited during services.
• Gatherings: Families and communities often host gatherings or parties to celebrate together.
• Gifts and Giving: While gifts are sometimes exchanged throughout Hanukkah, many focus on charitable giving on this final day.

In essence, while each day of Chanukah holds special meaning, the last day serves as a grand finale that encapsulates not just a historical victory but also a celebration of Jewish identity and faith.