According to legend, when they tried to relight the candle holder, called a Menorah, they found only enough oil for one day. By a miracle, the oil burned for eight days. For this holiday, the first candle in the Menorah is lit at sundown when Hanukkah begins. Each night, another candle is lit until all are burning by the eighth night. The Menorah is placed near the window so all who pass can see it.
Children receive a gift on each of the eight nights of Hanukkah.
Also, they play a game with a dreidel. It is a spinning top with Hebrew words on it referring to the miracle of the burning oil during the time of the Maccabees. Good food like latkes, potato pancakes, are eaten. This solemn holiday reminds the Jewish people of the time their ancestors were freed from slavery. When the Jews lived in Egypt, they were slaves to Pharaoh.