Sometimes coinciding with Christmas, Chanukah (Hanukkah) in 2011 starts on December 20th and will continue for 8 days until December 28.

Though initially a minor holiday, Hanukkah has become one of the paradigmatic Jewish holidays. Hanukkah (Chanukah) commemorates the victory of the Jews over the Syrian Greeks in 164 BCE, and is celebrated by lighting a hanukkiah, or menorah, for eight days, eating latkes, and playing dreidel.

After 3 years of war, the Temple in Jerusalem was reclaimed, purified and rededicated on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE. There was only one vat [1 day's worth] of undefiled oil left in the Temple and that one vat lasted the whole week while they prepared more oil.

This is why the Hanukkah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others) and one reason why Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days.

Read: A Jewish Struggle for Religious Freedom and National Survival by Lisa Katz, for more information.

As it was then, may it be now:

But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judah: 'What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? ...' And Judah said: 'It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and there is no difference in the sight of Heaven to save by many or by few; for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of an host, but strength is from Heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws. And He Himself will discomfort them before our face; but as for you, be yet not afraid of them." (The First Book of Maccabees)