Every religion needs their legends. The Jewish one goes a little something like this: in the Jewish year 2597 (164 BC), Israel was conquered by the Greeks, one of the most powerful armies of the Seleucid empire. They were militant oppressors of judaism, ensuring the displacement of a small group of pious jews. When the temple in Jerusalem was supposed to be rebuilt, only one keg of olive oil which hadn’t been looted by the Greeks could be found. Fresh oil lit the menorahs in the temple everyday – the candelabrum could burnt for eight days until new holy oil was consecrated, even though oil normally only lasted for one day. The word ‘hannukah’ itself translates to ‘consecration’ in Hebrew.

Hannukah kicks off on the 25th day of the third month of the Jewish year, Kislev (November/ December). In 2010 it took place on 2 December. The first candle is lit at sunset on the first day, as the shehecheyanu prayer is recited. It’s strictly forbidden to light one candle with another. The only aim of the light is to burn. On the first evening you start off by lighting the candelabrum from the right hand side. As you add candles to the right, you keep lighting from the left, respecting the ‘new’ flame.

Oil is not drunk in its purest form. Instead it is eaten in the form of latkes (shredded potatoes and grated onions in flour, salt and eggs) and sufganiot (deep-fried jelly doughnuts). Meals take place amidst friends and family at home rather than in the outer realms of a commercial Christmas market, though German potato pancakes (Reibekuchen) could work even for a jewish festival of lights…

Recipe: Hannukah Latkes for 4-6 people

Latkes served with apple or sour creamLatkes served with apple or sour cream | Key ingredients: oil and potatoesIngredients:

Oil to fry in, 12 big potatoes, grated, 3 medium size onion, grated, 4 eggs, lightly beaten, 5 teaspoons floor or more if necessary, salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Finely slice potatoes and onions and dry in a sieve (or use a clean serviette to empty the potato of its water). Do the same for the onions. Mix all ingredients except the oil well by hand. Add salt and pepper. Heat at least 2.5 centimetres of oil in a pan. Make some little cake patties by hand and put them in the oil once it is hot enough. Ensure they stay separated and don’t stick together. Brown on both sides until the edges are crispy, before placing onto kitchen towels. Serve immediately or keep warm in an oven. Enjoy!

Images: (cc) Chanukka Deko (cc) Asurocca; Latkes (cc) Dalboz17/ both courtesy of Flickr