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A central part of any Jewish holiday is the serving of traditional and symbolic foods. During Rosh Hashana apples dipped in honey are eaten to symbolically bring sweetness to the New Year. At Passover, bitter herbs are consumed as a reminder of the bitter oppression of the Hebrews at the hand of Pharaoh. Hanukkah is a time of celebration. It is a time of remembering God's miracles, specifically the miracle of the oil.

The miracle of the oil refers to the rededication of the Temple by the Jews after the defeat of the Syrian-Greek army. This victory, led by Judah Maccabee, was in itself a miracle. An army of Jewish dissidents took up arms against the mighty Syrians and were able to reclaim Jerusalem and their beloved Temple. The Temple, however, had been desecrated by the worship of foreign gods. Prior to the recommencement of Jewish worship the Temple needed to be ceremonially cleansed. Thus a new altar was built to replace the one that had been defiled, new holy vessels were crafted and the Temple menorah was once again lit. The problem the Jews faced, however, was that there was only enough consecrated olive oil to keep the menorah burning for one day. According to sacred ordinance, the menorah was to remain lit throughout the night. Instead of accepting this defeat the Jews lit the menorah with the hope that God would provide for them. And so He did. The one day's supply of oil kept the menorah burning for eight days. This was exactly the amount of time required to prepare and consecrate more oil.

During Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, several foods fried in oil are served as a symbol of the miracle of the oil. Perhaps the most popular are the potato pancakes, or "latkes" as they are known in Yiddish. In addition, large round donuts filled with jelly, known as "sufganiot" are a common staple at Hanukkah. These rich foods, prepared with oil, commemorate the miracle of oil that kept the menorah lit during the very first Hanukkah.

It is also quite common during Hanukkah to serve foods which are dairy-based, such as cheese. This is to commemorate the story of Judith and her heroism in saving her village of Bethulia from the Syrian General Holofernes. Rather than allowing her people to succumb to defeat, Judith decided to entire the Syrian camp one evening, under false pretenses, and pay General Holofernes a visit. She entered his tent bearing gifts of cheese and other salty food which induced his thirst. After passing out from drinking too much wine, Judith cut off the general's head with his own sword. She returned to her village with the head as a trophy and the Syrian army fled, refusing to fight without their general. It has been speculated that Judith was an aunt to Judah Maccabee, thereby linking her to the Hanukkah story.

The symbolic foods of Hanukkah are enjoyed each year as a means of remembering the trials and victories of the Jewish people in the face of adversity. They call to mind the power of faith and of God's miraculous provisions.

Learn more about this author, Laura Beth Caldwell.
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