The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE REASON THAT HANUKAH IS CALLED THE FEAST OF LIGHTS IS BECAUSE
A LONG TIME AGO WHEN THE JEWS WERE AT WAR, THE PRIESTS WERE
GUARDING THE TEMPLE IN JERUSALEM DURING A SEIGE. THEY ONLY HAD
ENOUGH FUEL TO LIGHT THE LANTERN IN THE TEMPLE ONE DAY. BUT
MIRACULOUSLY THE LANTERN STAYED LIT FOR EIGHT FULL DAYS UNTIL
MORE FUEL COULD BE GOTTEN AND THE CITY WAS SAVED. SO NOW AT
HANUKAH IT IS TRADITION TO LIGHT THE MENORAH FOR 8 FULL
DAYS IN REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE BRAVE JEWS.

Submitter comment: LEARNED IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

Where learned: NEW YORK ; BROOKLYN

James Callow Keyword(s): HANUKKAH

Date learned: 00-00-1965